Registry · SIC Index · Group 38

SIC 3841 — Surgical and Medical Instruments and Apparatus

SIC 3841 (Surgical and Medical Instruments and Apparatus) covers Surgical and Medical Instruments and Apparatus: Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing medical, surgical, ophthalmic, and veterinary instruments and apparatus. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing surgical and orthopedic appliances are classified in Industry 3842; those manufacturing electrotherapeutic and electromedical apparatus are classified in Industry 3845; and those manufacturing X-ray apparatus are classified in Industry 3844.

Official OSHA SIC Manual Definition

Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing medical, surgical, ophthalmic, and veterinary instruments and apparatus. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing surgical and orthopedic appliances are classified in Industry 3842; those manufacturing electrotherapeutic and electromedical apparatus are classified in Industry 3845; and those manufacturing X-ray apparatus are classified in Industry 3844.

Official Source Citation: OSHA SIC Manual — Industry 3841 (Surgical and Medical Instruments and Apparatus) (U.S. Department of Labor). Verified: 2026-08-08.

Description & Classification

SIC code 3841 representing 'Surgical and Medical Instruments and Apparatus' 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:

Classification Details

SIC Code3841
Industry TitleSurgical and Medical Instruments and Apparatus
DivisionDivision D: Manufacturing
Major GroupMajor Group 38: Measuring, Analyzing, and Controlling Instruments; Photographic, Medical and Optical Goods; Watches and Clocks
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Source / VerifiedUS Census 1987 SIC Concordance / 2026-08-08

SIC vs NAICS Compliance & Common Mismatches

Legacy SIC code 3841 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 3841 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 3841:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What industry sector is represented by legacy SIC code 3841? ▾

Legacy SIC code 3841 represents 'Surgical and Medical Instruments and Apparatus', 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 3841? ▾

Legacy SIC code 3841 maps to the modern 2022 NAICS industry classifications: NAICS 339112 (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing), NAICS 337127 (Institutional Furniture Manufacturing), NAICS 333415 (Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing), NAICS 333998 (All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing), NAICS 339113 (Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing), NAICS 333248 (All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing), NAICS 333994 (Industrial Process Furnace and Oven Manufacturing), NAICS 332994 (Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing). Mappings are resolved transitively across successive updates to handle splits.

Why do credit agencies and banks still reference legacy SIC code 3841? ▾

Registries like Dun & Bradstreet, insurance underwriters, and private platforms retain SIC code 3841 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 3841? ▾

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 3841 to group reporting peer firms.

How do OSHA safety recordkeeping rules apply to SIC code 3841? ▾

Under 29 CFR Part 1904 safety regulations, OSHA references legacy SIC codes including 3841 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 3841 and NAICS codes? ▾

SIC code 3841 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 3841? ▾

Typical business activities classified under legacy SIC 3841 are the operations associated with 'Surgical and Medical Instruments and Apparatus'. Mapped modern NAICS codes can be referenced for specific current examples.

Is legacy SIC code 3841 uniform across all 50 U.S. states? ▾

Yes, the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system, including code 3841, 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

  1. U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA): OSHA Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual — Code 3841
  2. U.S. Census Bureau: 1987 SIC to 2022 NAICS Concordance Tables
  3. Federal Reserve Board: Industrial Production & Capacity Utilization Classifications
  4. Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Schedule C Principal Business Activity (PBA) Industry Concordance
  5. Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Standard Industrial Classification Systems Governance

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