History of the SIRENE System: From 1973 to Today

The SIRENE system (Système Informatique pour le Répertoire des Entreprises et de leurs Établissements) has been the cornerstone of business identification in France for over 50 years. Let's discover its fascinating history.

Origins (1973)

The SIRENE directory was created by decree on March 14, 1973 to address a crucial need: having a unique national identifier for all French companies and establishments.

Why SIRENE?

Before 1973, each administration used its own identification systems, creating confusion and duplicates. The SIRENE system unified identification at the national level.

The context of creation

In the 1970s, France was experiencing a period of significant administrative modernization. Computing was beginning to transform public management, and INSEE was at the forefront of structuring the country's economic data.

System Evolution

1970s-1980s: Implementation

1973: Official creation of SIRENE directory
1975: First systematic registrations
1983: Mandatory registration for all businesses

1990s-2000s: Computerization

1996: Creation of the Business Formalities Center (CFE)
2000: First online directory consultations
2007: Launch of the SIRENE API

2010s-2020s: Open Data

2017: Free opening of the SIRENE database (Open Data)
2020: New SIRENE API v3
2023: One-stop shop for business formalities

Since 2017, SIRENE data is freely accessible to everyone, promoting innovation and economic transparency.

Identifier Structure

The SIREN number

The SIREN (Système d'Identification du Répertoire des Entreprises) is a 9-digit number assigned to each legal unit (company, association, etc.):

8 sequential identification digits
1 check key (Luhn algorithm)

The SIRET number

The SIRET (Système d'Identification du Répertoire des Établissements) is a 14-digit number composed of SIREN + NIC (Internal Classification Number):

9 digits from SIREN
5 digits from NIC (identifying each establishment)

732 829 320 + 00074 = 732 829 320 00074

The Role of INSEE

The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) is the exclusive manager of the SIRENE directory. Its missions include:

Assignment of SIREN and SIRET numbers
Daily database updates
Data distribution to administrations and the public
Technical infrastructure maintenance

Key Figures

Registered businesses

12+ million

Active legal units

Establishments

14+ million

Business sites

Updates

Daily

Database refresh

The Future of SIRENE

The SIRENE system continues to evolve to meet new challenges:

European interoperability: Connection with European registries
Modern APIs: Easier access for developers
Data quality: Continuous reliability improvement
Enhanced services: Integration with other public databases