The Kompass database is powered by a unique classification system of over 55,000 detailed products and services. It is searchable online in 25 languages allowing users around the world to search for technical terms in their native tongue. The classification is maintained by a central team in France and updated with the help and correspondence from Kompass franchisees worldwide working closely with business and industry.
Objectives
- Enable the easy codification and updating of companies, correctly positioned under their products/services, to have the best data available on the market
- Provide accurate information by listing the leaders, main manufacturers/service providers and traders for a specific product/service rather than companies which may produce/provide a product/service
- Provide detailed information by clearly distinguishing the type of supplier : manufacturer, trader, service provider, importer, exporter
- Provide a multi-lingual search facility through a standardised classification system accessible worldwide
Structure
A. The classification is organized in three parts
1. Industry section : 01 to 54
Includes manufacturers and traders who specialize in the products listed.
2. Trading section : 61 to 68
Only traders are listed in this section. Manufacturers may not appear in this section.
3. Service section : 69 to 89
Only service providers are listed in this section.
B. The classification is activity-based.
This means that if products are manufactured from different materials but with the same processes or technology they will be grouped under the same table heading, which facilitates data collecting and updating. It also means that companies having the same activity are grouped together, which better describes their activities.
Numbers
The most recent release of the classification in September 2005 contains
71 industrial groups (2-digit)
1,808 product & service groups (5-digit)
57,335 products & services (7-digit)
Example
The 2-digit industrial group
- 21 Beverages
breaks down into the following table
- 21100 Alcoholic spirits
- 21120 Whisky and bourbon
- 21140 Liqueurs
- 21150 Aperitifs and cocktails
- 21200 Wine, grape
- 21260 Wine, sparkling
- 21280 Wine, fortified
- 21290 Wine, non-grape
- 21300 Beers
- 21310 Ice
- 21380 Cider
- 21400 Juices, fruit and vegetable
- 21480 Lemonade, carbonated and soft drinks
- 21500 Mineral waters
- 21990 Drink processing, bottling and canning services
The 5-digit product & service group
- 21500 Mineral waters
breaks down into the following table
- 2150001 Mineral waters, natural
- 2150002 Mineral waters, artificial
- 2150005 Spring waters
- 2150008 Waters, aerated/carbonated
- 2150009 Mineral waters, flavoured
- 2150015 Thermal spring waters
- 2150020 Drinking water, canned and bottled
Other Classification Systems
The Kompass classification is more detailed (more granular) than any other commonly used classification system. Because of this we can match back to other classification systems with high levels of accuracy. This is not possible in the other direction. We have existing matching tables to
- SIC - Standard Industrial Classification
- NAICS - North American Industry Classification System
- ANZSIC - Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification
Comparison
|
Classification System |
Number of items at the most detailed level |
Most recent published revision |
|
Kompass |
57,335 |
Oct 2008 |
|
SIC |
1006 |
1987 |
|
NAICS |
1179 |
2002 |
|
ANZSIC |
506 |
2006 |
Classification Mapping
Because of the detailed granularity of the Kompass classification system we are able to accurately map back to these other classification systems.In our Catalyst Desktop application we provide ANZSIC classification (at ANZSIC Levels 1 & 2) for search and export purposes. The ANZSIC classification for each company is generated by a statistical analysis of the Kompass classification using a mapping from Kompass to ANZSIC. This allows us to provide an accurate categorisation in the simpler ANZSIC classification while still maintaining the superior depth of the Kompass classification.
Support
Whether you are looking to ensure your company is properly classified or to search the Kompass database, the Kompass team can help you with any queries you might have about the classification system.