North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) Canada 2012 Version 1.1

Introduction

NAPCS Canada 2012 Version 1.1 updates NAPCS Canada 2012 Version 1.0. In total, there are 271 changes between the two versions. Some categories were split, and others were merged. New categories were incorporated, and some were deleted, for a net addition of 65 product categories at different levels, providing better alignment with survey data collection and publication. In some instances, these modifications created the need to renumber codes. These changes account for about half of the update. The remaining changes relate to editing of class titles adding precision to their formulations. The detailed list of changes can be obtained from Standards Division at standards-normes@statcan.gc.ca.

Standard classification structure

The standard classification structure of NAPCS Canada 2012 comprises four levels: group, class, subclass, and detail. The table below outlines the nomenclature and provides the number of categories within each level of NAPCS Canada 2012 versions 1.1 and 1.0.

Classification variants

Along with NAPCS Canada 2012 Version 1.1, two new regrouping variants are made available: one for the Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) and one for the Raw Materials Price Index (RMPI). These variants add one level (section) above the standard classification structure; this new level is defined in terms of standard groups (three-digit). The tables below illustrate the nomenclature of the IPPI and RMPI variants and provide the number of categories within each level.

At the time of publishing this note, the plan is to create two regrouping variants for capital expenditures and one extension variant for agricultural products.