After decades of being grouped under outdated classifications, the UK hair, beauty and spa sectors will now be recognised individually in official data
The UK hair, beauty and spa industry has reached an important milestone, as new Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are officially introduced for the first time since 1948.
Following seven years of lobbying, the British Beauty Council has secured a structural change that separates the sector into distinct categories, offering long-awaited recognition at government level.
Previously, hair and beauty services were grouped under a single SIC code within “other personal services”, alongside industries such as funeral services and dry cleaning. This outdated classification failed to reflect the scale, diversity and professionalism of the modern sector.
“This has been an issue close to my heart and a core focus of our work since the conception of the Council,” said Millie Kendall OBE, chief executive of the British Beauty Council. “The classifications were outdated and no longer represented the breadth of the multi-faceted industry.”
What are SIC codes and why do they matter?
SIC codes are used by governments and statistical bodies to classify businesses based on their economic activity. They underpin how industries are measured, analysed and understood informing everything from policymaking to funding decisions.
As Kendall explained during a British Beauty Council roundtable, “SIC codes are really important for any industry because they describe what it does, who works in the industry, what the value of the industry is, and it's how Government and government agencies measure and understand different sectors.”
Without accurate SIC codes, industries risk being misunderstood or overlooked. For beauty professionals, this has meant limited visibility in economic data, making it harder to advocate for support, regulation and investment.
What are SOC codes and how are they different?
Alongside SIC codes, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes define the roles people perform within an industry.
As highlighted in the roundtable discussion, “the type of business is the SIC code and the people that work within those industries are the SOC codes”.
For example, a beauty salon would fall under a SIC code, while roles such as makeup artists or nail technicians are classified under SOC codes. Together, these systems shape how both businesses and professionals are recognised in official data.
The new SIC structure explained
The updated framework introduces a new group:
962 – Hairdressing, beauty treatment, day-spas and similar activities
Within this, three distinct classifications have been created:
- 9621 – Hairdressing and barber activities
- 9622 – Beauty care and other beauty treatment activities
- 9623 – Day spa, sauna and steam bath activities
This change allows each segment of the professional services sector to be measured independently for the first time.
Why the change was needed
The previous classification system had remained unchanged for over 70 years, despite the rapid evolution of the industry.
Kendall noted, “Our industry is not the same as it was in 1948. We didn’t see nail salons or beauty salons on every high street… it was a very, very different industry.”
The lack of detailed classification made it difficult to track workforce numbers, economic contribution or growth trends within specific areas such as aesthetics, nails or spa.
It also created challenges when engaging with government. As Kendall explained, professionals were often forced to select “other” when identifying their industry, highlighting a lack of formal recognition.
What this means for beauty professionals
The introduction of new SIC codes is expected to deliver several key benefits:
Improved visibility and recognition
With clearer classification, the industry can now be properly represented in economic data, supporting stronger advocacy and policy engagement.
Better data and insights
Government and agencies will be able to analyse performance across hair, beauty and spa individually, rather than as a single combined category.
The British Beauty Council’s chief policy officer Victoria Brownlie MBE highlighted the impact: without separate classifications, “it’s impossible to differentiate between hair and beauty as separate subsections of the sector”.
Stronger policy support
Accurate data enables more targeted support, from tax reform to regulation and skills development.
Easier business identification
Professionals – including freelancers and self-employed practitioners – will be able to more accurately define their work in official documentation.
A global shift for the industry
The reform extends beyond the UK, with updates also approved for international classification systems, including International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) and Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE), through the United Nations Statistical Commission.
This means the industry’s structure will be standardised globally, allowing for more meaningful comparisons between markets.
Kendall described the scale of the achievement: “The opportunity to impact global SIC codes was just too big to ignore… it’s been seven years of a crusade to get this updated.”
What happens next?
Implementation across UK systems, including Companies House and the Office for National Statistics, will take place gradually over the coming years.
The British Beauty Council has also indicated that further refinement may follow, with potential for more detailed classifications in areas such as aesthetics, nails and barbering.
“We know now how to do it, and we know where the windows of opportunity are,” Kendall said.
An important moment for the industry
For many within the industry, the update represents both technical change and long-overdue recognition.
“I always grew up feeling like the industry was sort of slightly disrespected and overlooked,” Kendall reflected. “By ensuring our industry is properly reflected, we are ensuring it is properly valued.”
With clearer data, stronger representation and global alignment, the new SIC codes mark a significant step forward for the professional hair, beauty and spa sectors.
FAQs
What are SIC codes in the beauty industry?
SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) codes are used by governments to classify what a business does. In the beauty industry, they determine how hair, beauty and spa services are recorded in official economic data.
Why have SIC codes changed for hair and beauty?
The previous classification grouped all services together under one outdated code from 1948. The update reflects the modern, specialised beauty industry and allows hair, beauty and spa to be measured separately.
What are the new SIC codes for beauty businesses?
The new structure includes:
- 9621 – Hairdressing and barbering
- 9622 – Beauty treatment services
- 9623 – Spa and wellness services
How do SIC codes affect beauty professionals?
SIC codes influence how the industry is recognised by government, which impacts funding, policy decisions, tax considerations and workforce data. More accurate codes mean better representation and support.
What is the difference between SIC and SOC codes?
SIC codes classify businesses, while SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) codes classify job roles. For example, a salon has a SIC code, while a makeup artist or therapist is defined by a SOC code.
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