United Nations Statistics Division Standard International Energy Product Classification (SIEC)

What is SIEC?  SIEC – Standard International Energy Classification – the first internationally agreed classification of energy products  Integral part of the International Recommendations for Energy Statistics (IRES)  Clarifies long-used concepts and terminology within the energy statistics community

Definitions in SIEC  Based on agreements reached by InterEnerStat  Consolidated previous definitions used by more than 20 organizations in the field of energy statistics  Scope of SIEC is based on energy statistics concepts

Structure of CPC  Numerical coding system  Classification has four levels  Classification meets criteria drafted for the Family  Critical point Some definitions are not purely product based, but consider also process / point of collection This results in difficulties for SIEC- CPC link

Relationships with other classifications  Most important: Central Product Classification (CPC) Harmonized System (HS)

Challenges in matching CPC and SIEC  CPC and SIEC differ significantly in concepts and structure leading to a high number of split links in the correspondence table  CPC is a multipurpose classification of all products Largely built upon and influenced by the Harmonized System  SIEC developed to serve the current needs of energy statisticians Builds and expands on currently (and historically) used concepts and terminology within the field of energy statistics  Issues described in previously published document (for EGM 2011)

Impact on CPC Ver.2.1 update  Intent was to consider changes to CPC to accommodate a better link to SIEC Mostly intended as additional detail Harmonization of terminology  Intent was to link CPC subclasses (5-digit) to SIEC divisions (2- digit)

Impact on CPC Ver.2.1 update  Terminology for coal has been aligned with SIEC, i.e. energy terminology "Lignite", "Brown coal" etc.  Definitions for petroleum products have been aligned with SIEC Detail in CPC group 333 (not further detailed in HS)

Impact on CPC Ver.2.1 update  Limitations in achieving a better link  Boundary issues could often not be fully resolved  Some expected CPC detail may not be sustainable e.g. black liquor  Some SIEC categories mix products that should be separate in CPC e.g. crude oil and hydrogen

Next steps  Some changes in CPC have been carried out  To achieve a better link between CPC and SIEC, changes to SIEC will also be necessary  This has to go through a process with InterEnerStat  Not expected to be started/completed in the very near future  Should be on the agenda for the next CPC review, combined with a SIEC review  Issues related to scope will most likely remain e.g. SIEC considers only the part of some products that is used for energy purposes