| GSIM Category Code | GSIM Category Description |
|---|---|
| RC - REAL CHANGE | Real change stands for changes in meaning, whether or not accompanied by changes in naming (title or definition) and/or coding. |
| RC1 - DELETION | A classification item expires, while its denotation reduces to zero; it does not proceed as (part of the) denotation of one or more other (existing) classification items. |
| RC2 - CREATION | The mirror image of deletion: a classification item emerges, while its denotation is not (part of) the denotation of one or more existing classification items. |
| RC3 - COMBINATION | |
| RC3.1 - Merger | Two or more classification items expire, while their denotations proceed in one emerging classification item. |
| RC3.2 - Take-over | A classification item expires, while its denotation proceeds as part of the denotation of another item, which continues its existence. |
| RC4 - DECOMPOSITION | |
| RC4.1 - Breakdown | The mirror image of merger: a classification item expires, while its denotation is distributed over and proceeds in two or more emerging classification items. |
| RC4.2 - Split off | The mirror image of take-over: a classification item continues to exist, while part of its denotation moves to another (emerging) classification item. |
| RC5 - TRANSFER | Part of the denotation of an item moves to another (existing) item. Notes:
|
| VC - VIRTUAL CHANGE |
Where real change stands for changes in meaning or scope, whether or not accompanied by changes in naming (title and definition) and/or coding, virtual change stands for changes in coding and/or naming, while the meaning of the classification item remains the same. Code change and name change do not result in border/scope changes of the classification item. |
| VC1 - CODE CHANGE |
A classification item expires, while its denotation proceeds as the denotation of an emerging classification item. (Note from GSIM: Strictly speaking, this heading is not correct, because different codes denote different Classification Items) In fact, for a code change to be part of virtual change, the code of a Classification Item changes, while its denotation (including its borders and scope) remains the same. |
| VC2 - NAME CHANGE |
The name (title or definition) of a classification item changes, while its denotation (including its borders and scope) remains the same. Note that not all changes in (the wording of) definitions imply changes in meaning. Indeed, changes which "merely" intend to enhance the clarity or quality of a title and/or definition, or to further operationalise a definition on the basis of situations encountered in practice, do not affect the meaning of a classification item. The same goes for extending a Classification Index or case law. |
| NC- NOTIFICATION CHANGE | A classification item stays while changes are made at lower levels without change in scope. |
| GENERAL NOTE | Deletion and creation may result in border changes. Combination, decomposition and transfer do result in border changes. Code change and name change do not result in border changes. |
References
Adaptation of the Generic Statistical Information Model (GSIM)