Provision of Standard industrial Classification (SIC) Code to REC Parties
Summary
As part of the planning required to deliver Net Zero, Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) are obligated to plan Industrial and Commercial (I&C) gas demand at a more granular, site-specific level. To meet this obligation, access to Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code data, matched to both Gas and Electricity Meter Point Reference Numbers, would provide a significantly improved understanding of I&C customers.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
22/05/2026 - Issue accepted in by Code Manager
Impacts Overview
Impacted REC Parties and Market Participants
Distribution Network Operator
Energy Supplier
Gas Transporter
Shipper
Impacted REC Documents
Schedule 12 - Data Access
Schedule 13 - Transfer of Consumer Data
Schedule 24 - Switching Data Management
Impacted REC Services
Central Switching Service (CSS)
Electricity Enquiry Service (EES)
Gas Enquiry Service (GES)
Priority and rationale
Standard
Priority last updated on 17 Sep 2026
Solution development
No documents available.
There is currently no Change Plan.
Original submission
Change details
- - -
22 May 2026
Change details
Provision of Standard industrial Classification (SIC) Code to REC Parties
As part of the planning required to deliver Net Zero, Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) are obligated to plan Industrial and Commercial (I&C) gas demand at a more granular, site-specific level. Ofgem, DESNZ and NESO increasingly require GDNs to present detailed information on the types of I&C activities operating within each Network footprint to support robust long-term whole-system planning.
To meet this obligation, access to Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code data, matched to both Gas and Electricity Meter Point Reference Numbers, would provide a significantly improved understanding of I&C customers. This data would enable GDNs to:
• characterise current I&C gas demand more accurately,
• identify patterns and drivers of consumption across different industrial and commercial sectors, and
• engage more effectively with site operators to understand their ongoing and future energy needs.
By improving visibility of the industrial and commercial landscape across the network, GDNs would be able to plan current demand more effectively, better identify areas requiring continued investment, and support whole system partners such as DNOs where cross vector interactions may be relevant, ensuring planning decisions remain aligned with customers’ needs while supporting the broader Net Zero transition.
This data would also improve targeted engagement with strategically significant I&C sites, allowing networks to better understand operation drivers, decarbonisation constraints and long-term energy requirements rather than that of current and historic consumption trends.
To meet this obligation, access to Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code data, matched to both Gas and Electricity Meter Point Reference Numbers, would provide a significantly improved understanding of I&C customers. This data would enable GDNs to:
• characterise current I&C gas demand more accurately,
• identify patterns and drivers of consumption across different industrial and commercial sectors, and
• engage more effectively with site operators to understand their ongoing and future energy needs.
By improving visibility of the industrial and commercial landscape across the network, GDNs would be able to plan current demand more effectively, better identify areas requiring continued investment, and support whole system partners such as DNOs where cross vector interactions may be relevant, ensuring planning decisions remain aligned with customers’ needs while supporting the broader Net Zero transition.
This data would also improve targeted engagement with strategically significant I&C sites, allowing networks to better understand operation drivers, decarbonisation constraints and long-term energy requirements rather than that of current and historic consumption trends.
The absence of this data item is impacting GDNs’ ability to provide meaningful insight to Ofgem, DESNZ and NESO as they work to develop more granular demand scenarios and determine the required direction of travel to support decarbonisation ambitions across the UK energy system. NESO is also seeking this data item from both DNOs and GDNOs as part of its whole-system planning processes to meet its licence obligations.
The solution should therefore be a centralised provision of this data item provided ideally by Suppliers upon gaining a supply point. We understand this data item is likely consumed by Suppliers (to be determined) as this will define the type of Business User applied when a Company Registration is completed via Companies House.
We would also propose that an initial data gathering /submission exercise is completed to provide a baseline for existing sites prior or upon implementation.
We would also propose that an initial data gathering /submission exercise is completed to provide a baseline for existing sites prior or upon implementation.
For context in relation to the data item being requested:
The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code is a system for classifying business activities based on economic sectors. This data item is determined at the point a business is registered at Companies House and grouped into Sections e.g. Section A – Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing and then by specific activities e.g. 01110 Growing of cereals or 01500 Mixed Farming.
The classification to some extent is self-determined by the Company however could provide an indication of the current and likely future energy needs.
The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code is a system for classifying business activities based on economic sectors. This data item is determined at the point a business is registered at Companies House and grouped into Sections e.g. Section A – Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing and then by specific activities e.g. 01110 Growing of cereals or 01500 Mixed Farming.
The classification to some extent is self-determined by the Company however could provide an indication of the current and likely future energy needs.
Impacts
No details provided
Achieving Net Zero, Other (please provide details in Additional information box below)
TBD
Schedule 12 - Data Access, Schedule 13 - Transfer of Consumer Data, Schedule 24 - Switching Data Management
Any impact to other schedules is to be determined.
No details provided
TBD
Electricity Enquiry Service (EES) Service Definition, Gas Enquiry Service (GES) Service Definition
This data item should be available via the Enquiry Services within a parties portfolio of sites.
Data Access Matrix, Data Item Catalogue
TBD
No details provided
TBD
Central Switching Service (CSS), Gas Enquiry Service
TBD
Distribution Network Operators, Energy Suppliers, EES Users, Gas Transporters, GES Users, Shippers
TBD
No details provided
TBD
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No details provided
Priority & timing
Yes
As soon as possible to support the planning processes for DNO’s and NESO
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No details provided
Achieving Net Zero, Other (please provide details in the Additional information box below)