TS 12607

TS 12607 is a standard that sets out the basic principles for classifying and coding existing occupations. Based on ISCO 88, it aims to bring occupation titles into a common structure, group similar jobs under a consistent framework, and support the uniform use of occupation codes. In general technical terms, standards of this kind make labour-market data, employment statistics, and human-resources records easier to compare and manage.

The technical purpose of occupational classification

Occupational classification provides a conceptual framework for describing what a job does, which tasks dominate it, and which broader group it belongs to. Coding then turns that framework into numerical or alphanumeric identifiers, making registration, analysis, and reporting more practical. This approach helps ensure that job titles can vary across institutions while the underlying work content remains more consistently traceable.

What this standard covers

• Principles for classifying and coding existing occupations
• A conceptual reference aligned with ISCO 88
• A common structure for occupation names and codes
• A general framework supporting consistency in employment, labour, and HR data

The scope explicitly excludes occupations related to TSK, so the document is limited to the classification and coding principles for civilian occupations. Rather than describing how a job is performed, the standard establishes a common language for how occupations are named and placed into categories.

This type of standard is particularly useful in personnel administration, statistics, education planning, and public record systems where occupation codes must remain coherent over time. Its main value lies in standardising the method of describing and grouping occupations, not in defining the detailed content of each individual job.