The RIA Champions a New NAICS Code for Emergency Restoration Services
The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) is excited to announce that it has formally submitted a request to the federal government to establish a new, six-digit NAICS code—624231: Emergency Restoration Services—as part of the 2027 NAICS review. This initiative, led by RIA’s NAICS Code Task Force, is a significant step toward securing recognition for the unique and specialized work that restoration professionals perform.
Why a Distinct NAICS Code Matters
Emergency Restoration Services play a vital role in emergency and disaster response, yet they remain misclassified and overlooked within existing NAICS categories. Currently, these services are scattered across construction and remediation services, neither of which accurately represent the time-sensitive and highly specialized nature of emergency restoration. For example, fire and flood restoration of buildings is found in subsector 236 Construction of Buildings. The six-digit NAICS 562910 Remediation Services falls under subsector 562 Waste Management and Remediation Services and does not mention the time sensitive services associated with the Emergency Restoration Services such as water extraction and dehumidification, microbial mitigation, and odor control. This lack of proper classification results in health and safety concerns, potential delays in service delivery, and inaccurate data.
Greater Visibility and Faster Response
A dedicated NAICS code will help streamline search and contracting making it easier for public sector clients, government agencies, search platforms, and large prime contractors to locate qualified restoration providers more quickly, especially in time-critical situations like natural disasters or major loss events. It will also help reduce confusion by differentiating emergency restoration services from construction and other misclassification to better align the public sector with qualified restoration service providers.
Enhanced Safety and Consistency
The restoration industry faces unique tasks, risks, and injuries that differ significantly from those classified under existing NAICS codes. Unlike general construction, homebuilding, or demolition, restoration work involves specialized hazards such as contamination exposure, structural instability, water damage mitigation, and fire residue cleanup—none of which are adequately reflected in the injury data of broader industry classifications.
By establishing a dedicated NAICS code, restoration companies would gain access to injury data specific to their field, allowing them to develop Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs that target the actual risks their workers face. Currently, restoration businesses must rely on injury statistics from industries performing fundamentally different work, leading to misaligned safety priorities.
A distinct NAICS code would provide real, relevant data to enhance safety overall through:
- Improved safety standards
- Implementation of more effective preventative measures
- Reduced workplace injuries
- Identification of qualified professionals to perform restoration services
Improved Industry Data Collection
Collecting data under a specific NAICS code for Emergency Restoration Services will yield more reliable information on industry size and revenue and tracking of industry metrics such as safety performance. This type of consolidated insight on the size and scope of the industry can also lead to enhanced advocacy and greater political strength.
The RIA’s request for NAICS Code 624231: Emergency Restoration Services is a crucial step toward establishing the data and visibility needed to better connect the public sector with qualified restoration professionals, enhance the efficiency of emergency restoration response, improve safety measures, reduce workplace injuries, and provide accurate industry insights that can help guide policy.
The Review Process & Timeline
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has charged the Economic Classification Policy Committee (ECPC) with the maintenance and review of NAICS. After soliciting and considering all proposals submitted for revisions from the public, including the RIA’s request, the ECPC will submit recommendations to OMB, which, after further public comment, and in consultation with the ECPC, makes the ultimate decision on changes. The OMB’s final decisions are expected in March 2026 with the updated NAICS being published in January 2027.
The RIA thanks the many volunteer leaders on the NAICS Code Task Force who gave of their time and were instrumental in developing the NAICS code submission.
To learn more about the RIA’s advocacy efforts, visit restorationindustry.org.