The APRM code identifies craft businesses registered in the trades register, while the APE code classifies each business according to its main activity in the NAF nomenclature. These two administrative identifiers respond to distinct logics, linked to different organizations, with concrete consequences on a company’s social and contractual obligations. This article measures their respective scopes, points of contact, and the gaps that can be costly in case of error.
APRM Code and APE Code: Comparative Scope of Two Identifiers
The confusion between the APRM code and the APE code frequently arises among business creators. The table below outlines the structural differences.
| Criterion | APRM Code | APE Code (NAF Code) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Main Activity of the Trades Directory | Main Activity Exercised |
| Issuing Organization | Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA) | INSEE |
| Format | Code linked to the trades directory | 4 digits and 1 letter |
| Classification Base | Trades Directory (craft activity) | French Activities Nomenclature (NAF) |
| Scope | Craft status, access to CMA aids | Statistics, collective agreements, tax systems |
| Concerned Businesses | Craftsmen and craft businesses only | All businesses without exception |
A plumbing craftsman has both an APRM code (which certifies his registration in the trades directory) and an APE code (which classifies his activity in the NAF). The two can designate the same activity, but they serve different interlocutors.
To understand the APRM code with Les Vrais Indépendants, it is essential to grasp that this code conditions the recognition of craft status, whereas the APE code determines statistical and contractual affiliation.
Collective Agreement and Unemployment Insurance: When the APE Code Weighs Heavily
The APE code has more than just statistical significance. It serves as a reference to determine the applicable collective agreement for a business. An attribution error can lead to the application of an unsuitable agreement, with salary scales, training obligations, or insurance schemes that do not correspond to the actual activity.
An incorrect APE code can change the applicable collective agreement, leading to documented labor disputes. The Village de la Justice notes that this identification error can be costly for both employers and employees.
The APE code also plays a role in the bonus-malus system on unemployment insurance contributions. The Ministry of Labor specifies that this mechanism applies to certain sectors defined by their APE code. The modulation of rates is calculated over successive periods, the last running from September 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026. A business linked to the wrong sector may find itself subject to an increased rate unrelated to its actual activity.
The APRM code, on the other hand, has no direct impact on these mechanisms. Its role remains confined to craft recognition and the systems managed by the CMAs.
NAF Reform 2027: What Changes for the APE Code and the APRM Code
As of January 1, 2027, INSEE will apply a new NAF nomenclature and will automatically assign a new APE code to all businesses registered in the Sirene directory. This change is not limited to a simple technical recoding.
- The apparent activity branch of certain businesses may change, altering their statistical and contractual affiliations.
- Relationships with funders, partners, or insurance organizations that rely on the APE code may be affected.
- The business will not need to take any action for the reallocation itself but will need to verify the consequences of the new code on its obligations.
The reallocation will be automatic, but its effects will not be. A craftsman whose APE code changes branch may see his reference collective agreement evolve, his eligibility for certain public schemes change, or his professional insurance premiums recalculated.
For the APRM code, the 2027 reform has not been announced as having a direct impact. Registration in the trades directory is based on qualification and business size criteria, not on the NAF nomenclature. However, if a craftsman’s APE code shifts to a non-craft sector after recoding, the consistency between the two identifiers will need to be verified with the CMA.
APE Code Error: Modification Procedure and Concrete Cases
INSEE assigns the APE code based on the activity declaration made during the creation of the business. If the declared activity does not reflect reality, or if the main activity evolves over time, the code may be incorrect.
The request for modification is made directly to INSEE. Since January 1, 2023, the formalities for creation and modification go through the single window managed by INPI, which replaces the former business formalities centers (CFE). For craftsmen, INPI has become the main contact for administrative procedures, including those concerning the trades directory.
The most frequent cases of error involve businesses engaged in multiple activities. The APE code only reflects the main activity, determined according to criteria of turnover or workforce. A carpenter who develops a wood trading activity may see his APE code shift from the craft sector to commerce, with repercussions on his collective agreement and contributions.
- Check your APE code on the Sirene directory or on the INSEE situation notice.
- Compare the assigned code with the actual description of the main activity.
- In case of discrepancy, submit a modification request to INSEE via the INPI single window.
- For the APRM code, contact the competent CMA directly.
The distinction between the APRM code and the APE code remains structural for any craft business. The former certifies a status, the latter classifies an activity. With the NAF reform planned for 2027, craftsmen and entrepreneurs have a concrete interest in verifying now the consistency between these two identifiers, before the automatic reallocation produces its effects.