The Nice Classification, an international system used to classify goods and services for trademark registration, has been updated. The new 13th edition entered into force on 1 January 2026. These changes to the classification can significantly affect trademark searches and ignoring them may lead to missing earlier trademarks and serious legal consequences.

The Nice Classification forms the backbone of trademark registration by organizing the world of goods and services into 45 clearly defined classes, 34 for goods and 11 for services. However, as markets constantly evolve and new products emerge, the classification must adapt accordingly.

It is therefore reviewed and revised on an annual basis. Each updated version is published online by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and enters into force on 1 January of the relevant year. 

In addition to these annual updates, a more comprehensive revision is carried out every five years. However, in the near future, these major revisions are expected to take place every three years, reflecting the increasing number of new goods and services entering the market that need to be defined within the classification.

To help you get acquainted with the newest 13th edition of the Nice Classification, which came into force on 1 January this year, we begin with a short case study. This example illustrates the practical impact of these changes and why it is important to take them into account.

We then provide clear, step-by-step instructions on how to find these updates on WIPO’s website. Finally, this article highlights the most notable changes in a concise bullet-point format, allowing you to quickly understand the key developments in the latest edition.

Case Study

Imagine you have created a brand called “Superdrip” and plan to use it for sunglasses. Before applying for a trademark, you check whether any identical or similar marks are already registered. Sunglasses currently fall under Class 10 in the Nice Classification, so you conduct your search in that class and are pleased to find no conflicting marks. Confident, you go ahead and file your trademark application in Class 10.

A few weeks later, however, you receive a cease-and-desist letter from Superdry, claiming that your mark infringes their existing trademark. How could this happen? The issue lies in the fact that sunglasses were previously classified under Class 9. Superdry holds earlier trademarks in that class, which remain valid. Because you only searched Class 10, you missed these earlier registrations.

As a result, you now face a potential legal dispute, unnecessary costs, including application fees, branding investments, and lost of time, all of which could have been avoided by considering the changes in the Nice Classification during your search.

This case highlights an important lesson: when conducting trademark searches, you should always check both the current class of the relevant good or service and any classes that previously covered it.

How to Check the Changes in the New Nice Classification:

1. Go to the website: https://nclpub.wipo.int/enfr/.
2. In the “EDITION-VERSION” field in the top-left corner, select 13-2026.
3. From the “CLASS INDEX” on the left side, choose the class you want to review.
4. Once the page opens, select “Modifications” from the top menu.
5. You will then see all changes that apply to that class.

Major Changes Listed:

Goods:

1. Essential oils are now classified according to their purpose. As a result:

• Essential oils for use in manufacture (010744) are now classified in Class 1
• Essential oils for fragrancing (030286) remain in Class 3, together with other fragrance products
• Food flavourings consisting of essential oils (300048) are now classified in Class 30, whereas previously they may have been classified in Class 3

2. Terpenes [essential oils] (010743) have been transferred from Class 3 to Class 1
3. Spectacles, contact lenses and sunglasses have been transferred from Class 9 to Class 10. For example:
   • Spectacles* / eyeglasses (100328), contact lenses (100335) and sunglasses (100339) are now classified in Class 10
4. Emergency and rescue vehicles have been transferred from Class 9 to Class 12. For example:

• Fire engines (120352), fire boats (120353) and lifeboats (120355) are now classified in Class 12

5. Surf skis (120358) have been transferred from Class 28 to Class 12
6. Nozzles for watering hoses (170141) have been transferred from Class 21 to Class 17
7. Clutch linings have been removed from Class 17 and are now classified according to their use. As a result:
   • Clutch linings for land vehicles (120350) are classified in Class 12
   • Clutch linings, other than for land vehicles (070623) are classified in Class 7
8. The classification of parasols and umbrellas has been clarified. As a result:
   • Parasols have been revised to “hand-held parasols” (180066) in Class 18, and a new entry “patio umbrellas” (220125) has been added to Class 22. This change clarifies that Class 18 covers only hand-held parasols and umbrellas.
9. Tongue scrapers (210479) have been transferred from Class 10 to Class 21
10. Electrically heated clothing that is not intended for protection against accidents or injury, nor for medical purposes, has been transferred from Class 11 to Class 25. For example:
    • Electrically heated clothing (250206), electrically heated socks (250207) and footmuffs, electrically heated or not electrically heated (250208), are now classified in Class 25
11. Yoga articles are now classified according to their nature. As a result:
    • Yoga cushions (200382) and meditation cushions (200381) are classified in Class 20
    • Yoga gloves (250210) are classified in Class 25
    • Meditation mats (270029) are classified in Class 27
    • Yoga blocks (280291) are classified in Class 28
12.  Buttercream [icing] (300329) has been transferred from Class 29 to Class 30

Services:

1. Artificial intelligence as service [AlaaS] (420315) has been added as a new entry to Class 42.
2. Booking and arranging of access to airport lounges (430215) has been added as new entry to Class 43.
3. Rental of spectacles (440272) and rental of sunglasses (440275), for all purposes, are now classified exclusively in Class 44.