SIC 3812 — Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical Systems and Instruments
Official OSHA SIC Manual Definition
Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing search, detection, navigation, guidance, aeronautical, and nautical systems and instruments. Important products of this industry are radar systems and equipment; sonar systems and equipment; navigation systems and equipment; countermeasures equipment; aircraft and missile control systems and equipment; flight and navigation sensors, transmitters, and displays; gyroscopes; airframe equipment instruments; and speed, pitch, and roll navigational instruments and systems. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing aircraft engine instruments or meteorological systems and equipment, including weather tracking equipment, are classified in Industry 3829.
Description & Classification
SIC code 3812 representing 'Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical Systems and Instruments' is an industry category in the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system under U.S. OSHA and Federal procurement registers.
Modern NAICS Crosswalk
Trace the modern equivalent classifications in the 2022 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) database:
- NAICS 334511 - Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (via SIC1987:3812→NAICS1997:334511→2002:334511→2007:334511→2012:334511→2017:334511→2022:334511)
Classification Details
| SIC Code | 3812 |
|---|---|
| Industry Title | Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical Systems and Instruments |
| Division | Division D: Manufacturing |
| Major Group | Major Group 38: Measuring, Analyzing, and Controlling Instruments; Photographic, Medical and Optical Goods; Watches and Clocks |
| JSON Endpoint | View as JSON · API → |
| Source / Verified | US Census 1987 SIC Concordance / 2026-08-08 |
SIC vs NAICS Compliance & Common Mismatches
Legacy SIC code 3812 classifies commercial operations based on primary end-product or service output under the 1987 federal framework. In contrast, modern 2022 NAICS codes group establishments based on production process inputs.
When submitting public disclosures to SEC EDGAR or determining OSHA workplace safety log recordkeeping exemptions (29 CFR Part 1904), rely strictly on the official OSHA 4-digit SIC classification rather than an automated commercial translation.
💡 Expert Guidance: SIC to NAICS Conversion
Common Compliance Mistake: Many contractors and B2B analysts confuse legacy 4-digit SIC codes like 3812 with modern 6-digit NAICS codes. Ensure that you use the correct active 2022 NAICS code (e.g. from the crosswalk below) when submitting representations on SAM.gov, as federal contracting officers only accept modern NAICS codes.
Related Pages & Tools
Further regulatory reference links for legacy SIC code 3812:
- SIC Codes Complete Compliance Guide — Detailed history and active legal applications of the SIC classification framework.
- Why Legacy SIC Codes Persist Guide — How credit systems and the SEC still rely on SIC metadata.
- SIC ↔ NAICS Crosswalk Tool — Trace industrial code conversions dynamically.
- SIC 3812 to NAICS Crosswalk — Bidirectional mapping to modern NAICS codes (Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical Systems and Instruments).
- SIC Major Group 38 Hub — View other legacy industries in this business division.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What industry sector is represented by legacy SIC code 3812? ▾
Legacy SIC code 3812 represents 'Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical Systems and Instruments', categorized under Division Division D: Manufacturing and Major Group Major Group 38: Measuring, Analyzing, and Controlling Instruments; Photographic, Medical and Optical Goods; Watches and Clocks. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system was developed in the late 1930s.
What is the modern 2022 NAICS equivalent for legacy SIC 3812? ▾
Legacy SIC code 3812 maps to the modern 2022 NAICS industry classifications: NAICS 334511 (Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing). Mappings are resolved transitively across successive updates to handle splits.
Why do credit agencies and banks still reference legacy SIC code 3812? ▾
Registries like Dun & Bradstreet, insurance underwriters, and private platforms retain SIC code 3812 because their historical financial risk data and scoring models are indexed using the legacy 4-digit SIC framework.
Does the SEC EDGAR system allow searching public filings by SIC 3812? ▾
Yes. The SEC Division of Corporation Finance assigns a primary 4-digit SIC code to public companies. You can search the EDGAR database using SIC code 3812 to group reporting peer firms.
How do OSHA safety recordkeeping rules apply to SIC code 3812? ▾
Under 29 CFR Part 1904 safety regulations, OSHA references legacy SIC codes including 3812 to determine if a physical establishment is required to maintain daily injury logs (Form 300) or is partially exempt.
What is the structural difference between SIC 3812 and NAICS codes? ▾
SIC code 3812 classifies establishments based on their final product output or market destination (what they sell), while modern NAICS codes classify them based on production processes and inputs (how they work).
What are the typical business activities classified under legacy SIC 3812? ▾
Typical business activities classified under legacy SIC 3812 are the operations associated with 'Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical Systems and Instruments'. Mapped modern NAICS codes can be referenced for specific current examples.
Is legacy SIC code 3812 uniform across all 50 U.S. states? ▾
Yes, the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system, including code 3812, was published as a federal standard and remains uniform nationwide. It is still referenced by various state workers' compensation boards and departments of labor.
Sources & References
- U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA): OSHA Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual — Code 3812
- U.S. Census Bureau: 1987 SIC to 2022 NAICS Concordance Tables
- Federal Reserve Board: Industrial Production & Capacity Utilization Classifications
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Schedule C Principal Business Activity (PBA) Industry Concordance
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Standard Industrial Classification Systems Governance