On 9 May 2026, ACRA automatically migrated every registered entity in Singapore from the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification 2020 (SSIC 2020) to the new SSIC 2025 framework. If you are a director or business owner who has not yet checked your company’s updated code on Bizfile, now is the time.

The migration was automatic — but that does not mean it was always accurate. The SSIC 2025 revision introduced over 1,500 changes to the existing code framework, including renumbered codes, merged categories, entirely new classifications, and some codes that were dropped altogether. For companies in sectors that have evolved rapidly — fintech, health tech, platform businesses, green energy, and artificial intelligence — the auto-assigned code may no longer be a precise match.

More importantly, your SSIC code is not just an administrative label. It directly affects your eligibility for government grants, your standing under MOM’s quota framework, and how IRAS classifies your business for tax purposes. Getting it right matters.

What Is the SSIC and Why Did It Change?

The Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) is the national standard used to categorise the economic activities of every business entity registered in Singapore. It is used in ACRA’s Bizfile+ registry, government data systems, census surveys, administrative databases, and policy instruments.

The SSIC is periodically revised to keep pace with the evolution of Singapore’s economy. The SSIC 2025 edition reflects significant structural changes, particularly the emergence of new sectors — digital platforms, AI services, climate technology — and the obsolescence of activities that no longer merit their own classification.

You can read more about what an SSIC code is and how to find one for your company in our earlier guide.

What Changed on 9 May 2026?

On 9 May 2026, ACRA applied the following changes across all registered entities:

  • Auto-migration: Every company’s existing SSIC 2020 code was mapped to the nearest SSIC 2025 equivalent using official correspondence tables.
  • 1,500+ revised codes: The SSIC 2025 introduced more than 1,500 changes compared to SSIC 2020.
  • 58 codes renumbered: These activities remain, but their code numbers have changed.
  • 58 codes dropped: Activities no longer tracked under their own classification were either merged into broader categories or removed.
  • 26 new codes added: New codes were created for emerging activities, including climate technology, digital platform services, and AI-related services.

The most significant structural change was the split of Section J (Information and Communications) into two distinct sections:

  • New Section J: Publishing, broadcasting, and content production
  • New Section K: Telecommunications, computer programming, and IT services

If your company is in any tech-adjacent industry, your code may have shifted — potentially into a different section entirely.

Why Your Auto-Assigned Code May Be Wrong

ACRA’s auto-migration used a systematic mapping process, but it could not account for nuances in individual business activity. Codes that were merged, renumbered, or restructured may have been mapped to a category that is close but not precise.

Common scenarios where the auto-assigned code may be inaccurate include:

  • Fintech and digital finance: Companies that previously used broad financial services codes may now have more specific options available under SSIC 2025 — but the auto-assignment may have defaulted to a generic category.
  • Health technology: Biomedical tech companies that straddle traditional healthcare and software may have been mapped to the healthcare section when their primary activity is software development, or vice versa.
  • Platform and marketplace businesses: The 26 new codes include new classifications for digital intermediary platforms that previously had to make do with an approximate fit.
  • Green energy and sustainability: Climate technology is now a recognised category under SSIC 2025. Companies previously classified under general energy or environmental services may now qualify for a more precise code.
  • AI and data services: Artificial intelligence services have their own classifications for the first time under SSIC 2025. Companies providing AI model training, deployment, or AI-as-a-service may have been auto-mapped to a general IT category.

How to Check Your Code on Bizfile

Checking your current SSIC code is straightforward:

  1. Go to Bizfile+ — ACRA’s digital registry portal.
  2. Search for your company by UEN or company name.
  3. Your current principal business activity and secondary activity (if any) will be displayed, together with their SSIC codes.
  4. Compare your current code against the SSIC 2025 listings to confirm the code accurately describes what your company actually does.

If your auto-assigned code is incorrect, you can file an update via Bizfile+. The first SSIC change in any calendar year is free of charge.

The 14-Day Correction Window

ACRA set a 14-day window from the 9 May 2026 cutover for companies to verify and correct any auto-migration errors. If your business activity code was inaccurately mapped and you file a correction promptly, this is treated as a correction arising from the migration rather than a voluntary change.

Even if the 14-day window has passed, you should still file a correction if your code is wrong. Leaving an inaccurate SSIC code on your company’s Bizfile record creates ongoing compliance and eligibility risks. Your company secretary can assist with the Bizfile update.

Why Your SSIC Code Matters Beyond the Register

Many directors regard the SSIC code as a technical formality. In practice, it has real downstream consequences.

Grant Eligibility

Enterprise Singapore’s flagship grants — the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), and the Market Readiness Assistance Grant — are available to qualifying Singapore SMEs regardless of industry. However, certain sector-specific incentives administered by the EDB and other agencies are restricted to entities within defined SSIC code ranges. If your code has been auto-migrated to an adjacent category outside the qualifying range, you may find yourself excluded from a scheme your company would otherwise qualify for.

For a full comparison of the main government grants and when each applies, see our EDG vs PSG vs MRA grant guide.

MOM Quota Administration

The Ministry of Manpower administers S Pass and Work Permit quota for foreign workers partly on the basis of sector. An incorrect SSIC code can affect how your company is classified for quota purposes, particularly in sectors with differentiated quota ratios — construction, manufacturing, and services carry different S Pass sub-dependency ceilings.

IRAS Sector Classification

IRAS uses SSIC codes to classify companies by sector for data and tax policy purposes. While the SSIC code itself does not directly determine your tax rate, an incorrect code can cause administrative friction and discrepancies when IRAS cross-references its records with ACRA’s registry.

Pioneer Certificate and EDB Incentives

Certain EDB incentives — including the Pioneer Certificate, the Development and Expansion Incentive, and the IP Development Incentive — reference specific SSIC code ranges in their eligibility criteria. A changed code as a result of the SSIC 2025 migration can quietly affect your eligibility documentation.

Step-by-Step: Updating Your SSIC Code via Bizfile

If you need to update your SSIC code after the migration, the process is as follows:

  1. Log in to Bizfile+ at bizfile.gov.sg using your Singpass.
  2. Select your company from your dashboard.
  3. Navigate to “Update Business Activity” — found under the company information section.
  4. Search for the correct SSIC 2025 code using keywords describing your principal business activity.
  5. Submit the update. The change takes effect immediately upon approval, and your Bizfile record will reflect the corrected code.
  6. Board resolution: Note that a change of business activity may require a directors’ resolution depending on your company’s constitution. Your company secretary can advise on this.

For sector changes involving significant shifts — for example, moving from a services code to a manufacturing code — it is prudent to notify your bank, insurer, and any regulatory licence holders to ensure consistency across your external records. You can refer to our Singapore company compliance calendar for other key ACRA deadlines and filing obligations.

Sectors Most Affected by SSIC 2025

Based on the changes introduced in the SSIC 2025 revision, the following sectors are most likely to have companies with inaccurately auto-migrated codes:

  • Information and communications technology — due to the Section J/K split
  • Fintech and digital financial services
  • Health technology and medtech
  • Digital platforms, marketplace, and aggregator businesses
  • Green energy, sustainability, and climate technology
  • Artificial intelligence and data science services
  • Online retail and e-commerce
  • Logistics technology and smart supply chain

Directors in these industries should treat the SSIC 2025 review as a priority compliance task.

Our Recommendation

Even if you believe your business activity has not changed, we recommend verifying your current SSIC code on Bizfile and comparing it against the SSIC 2025 classification list to ensure accuracy. The cost of doing this is nil. The cost of not doing it — in the form of lost grant eligibility, quota complications, or regulatory friction — can be material.

For the latest Singapore business news and regulatory updates, there are useful resources for directors and business owners keeping pace with compliance changes.

Beyond compliance, sound financial planning and investment decisions remain equally important for business owners navigating a changing regulatory landscape.

If you need legal advice on your company’s compliance obligations, we can point you in the right direction.

To speak with the team at Raffles Corporate Services, you can email [email protected] or call, SMS, or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133. We are happy to assist with any queries.

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services