Why do you need classifications?
Statistics Austria produces a wealth of economic statistics for the public, which are available free of charge to users from business, research or other areas on the website of Statistics Austria. Whether short-term indicators, labour force statistics etc., it is always necessary to present statistical data by economic sector.
Do I have to keep the classification notification?
It is highly recommended that you keep the classification notification with your business documents or forward it to your tax advisor, as you will need your ÖNACE code for various administrative purposes.
Why do I need the classification notification or the ÖNACE code?
There are a variety of administrative areas that relate to the ÖNACE classification of a company. These currently include, for example:
This notification provides your company with the necessary information regarding the ÖNACE classification.
Please note that ÖNACE 2003 must be stated for all reports up to and including 2007; from 2008 the ÖNACE 2008. If you need your classification according to ÖNACE 2003, please call our hotline (tel.: +43 1 711 28-8686; Monday to Thursday between 8 a. m. and 2. 30 p. m. and Friday between 8 a. m. and 2 p. m.).
My activities do not correspond to those mentioned in the classification notification. What should I do?
There are basically two possibilities why this is the case:
In both cases, call our hotline (tel.: +43 1 711 28-8686; Monday to Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. or Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.) to clarify this problem.
My classification notification lists activities that I do not perform. Do I have to report this?
The explanatory notes contain a wealth of activities that are assigned to the respective subclasses. If your company's activities focus on just one of the activities described in the explanatory notes, your company's classification is also correct.
The classification notification does not match my business license. Could this have legal consequences for me?
The stated economic activity does not correspond to the wording in the business licence, but refers primarily to the main activity the enterprise actually carries out.
The activities which may be carried out according to the business licence may fall into several ÖNACE subclasses, e. g. with the Federal Guild of Pedestrians, Cosmeticians and Masseurs. According to the business license, these three activities may be carried out, but the ÖNACE 2008 distinguishes between 96.02-3 “Pedicures”, 96.02-2 “Beauty treatment”, 96.04-1 “Operation of reducing and slendering salons and massage salons” and 86.90-9 “Other human health activities n.e.c.”.
I also carry out other activities that are not listed in my classification notification. Why is that?
If a company carries out several activities, the main economic activity is used for classification. The auxiliary variable for determining the main economic activity is the share of sales of the products produced or the services provided.
Thus, the ÖNACE classification is based on the main activity of your company. In addition to this, up to five secondary activities can be entered in Statistics Austria's business register. However, these are not listed on the classification notification.
If you would like to know more about this (e.g.: “Are there any secondary activities in my company?”, etc.), please call our hotline (Tel.: +43 1 711 28-8686; Monday to Thursday between 8:00 a.m and 2:30 p.m. or Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.) for more information.
Do I have to return the confirmation if the assignment is correct?
Yes, because sending back the completed confirmation certifies that the allocation carried out by Statistics Austria is actually correct.