SIC Codes – what are they?
What is an SIC code? Standard Industry Classification codes are a standardised list of 5-digit codes which aim to describe what a UK company does. Every UK company is required to have at least one SIC code, and can have up to 4 such codes.
SIC codes are notified to Companies House at incorporation, and are either confirmed or updated in subsequent confirmation statement filings.
LLPs are not required to provide an SIC code – this only applies to companies.
How do I change/add/remove a SIC code at Companies House? There is no specific Companies House form to change SIC codes. The only way to do this is by filing a confirmation statement. You can either wait until you file your next confirmation statement, or file an ‘early’ confirmation statement if a third party insists on seeing the correct SIC code(s) at Companies House.
Filing your confirmation statement is very quick and easy to do using Kudocs. See our Guide here and our FAQ here for more information.
Are SIC Codes the same as objects clauses? No. SIC Codes do not have the same legal status as objects clauses – they do not restrict what activities companies can carry out. They simply describe – more or less accurately – what type of business the company currently does.
For background, older companies incorporated before the Companies Act 2006 (i.e. before 1 October 2009) had to include objects clauses (‘objects’) in their articles. These effectively restricted what activities a company could carry out.
Under the Companies Act 2006, the default assumption is that a company has ‘unrestricted objects’ unless their articles say otherwise. For example, charitable and other non-profit companies set up for a specific purpose are often required to have objects clauses in their articles. However, the vast majority of modern companies will have unrestricted objects.
Last updated: 11/11/2025 by Kudocs Admin