ICS Classification Explained
How Chinese standards are organized by industry using the International Classification for Standards
What is ICS?
ICS (International Classification for Standards) is a hierarchical classification system maintained by ISO. It organizes standards into a three-level structure: field, group, and sub-group. China adopted ICS for its national standards system to make standards easier to find across industries and to align with international practice.
How ICS Codes Work
An ICS code like 25.160.10 breaks down as:
- 25 — Manufacturing engineering (the field)
- 25.160 — Welding, brazing and soldering (the group)
- 25.160.10 — Welding processes (the sub-group)
Most standards are classified at the sub-group level, but some only go to the group level. A standard for welding procedure qualification, for example, would be classified under 25.160.10.
Major ICS Fields Used in Chinese Standards
| ICS Range | Field | Example Standards |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Generalities, Terminology, Standardization | GB/T 1.1 (rules for drafting standards) |
| 03 | Services, Company Organization, Management | GB/T 19001 (quality management, identical to ISO 9001) |
| 07 | Mathematics, Natural Sciences | GB/T 6379 (accuracy of measurement methods) |
| 11 | Health Care Technology | YY/T 0287 (medical device quality management) |
| 13 | Environment, Health Protection, Safety | GB 3095 (ambient air quality) |
| 17 | Metrology and Measurement | GB/T 1214 (vernier calipers) |
| 21 | Mechanical Systems and Components | GB/T 1095 (keyways) |
| 25 | Manufacturing Engineering | GB/T 985.1 (welding, identical to ISO 9692-1) |
| 27 | Energy and Heat Transfer Engineering | GB/T 2589 (general principles for energy consumption) |
| 29 | Electrical Engineering | GB/T 14048 (low-voltage switchgear) |
| 35 | Information Technology | GB/T 35273 (personal information security) |
| 43 | Road Vehicle Engineering | GB 7258 (motor vehicle safety) |
| 65 | Agriculture | NY/T 391 (green food standards) |
| 67 | Food Technology | GB 2760 (food additives) |
| 77 | Metallurgy | GB/T 700 (carbon structural steels) |
| 91 | Construction Materials and Building | GB 50009 (building structure loads) |
| 93 | Civil Engineering | JT/T 514 (highway engineering) |
| 97 | Domestic and Commercial Equipment | GB 4706.1 (household appliance safety) |
ICS vs. CCS: Two Systems, One Purpose
China uses two classification systems for its standards:
- ICS (International Classification for Standards) — Internationally recognized. A numeric system (e.g., 25.160.10). Every GB and GB/T standard published since the early 2000s carries an ICS code.
- CCS (Chinese Classification for Standards) — China's own classification. A letter-number system (e.g., J 33 for welding). Still widely used in Chinese industry and government databases.
Most standards on our platform carry both codes. You can browse by ICS classification here.
Why ICS Matters for International Trade
When sourcing products from China or exporting to China, ICS codes help you:
- Find the right standards quickly — Search by ICS code to see all applicable standards for a product category
- Compare Chinese and international standards — ISO, EN, ASTM, and GB standards for the same product share the same ICS code
- Track regulatory changes — Monitor new and revised standards in your industry by ICS category
Start browsing: Browse all ICS categories to find standards relevant to your industry.