Trade Mark specifications - New 13th edition of the Nice classification

In most countries, for the purposes of Trade Mark law, all goods and services are classified into one of 45 categories known as “classes” under a system called “The Nice classification”. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has recently announced an upcoming change in that trade mark classification system. As of 1 January 2026, the 13^th edition of the Nice classification will come into effect, resulting in the reclassification of certain goods. For more detailed information, see here.

The primary changes will affect the classification of spectacles, eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and related products. These items, which have traditionally been classified under class 9, will now be moved to class 10. Additionally, electrically heated clothing will be reclassified from its current class 11 to class 25, and emergency vehicles will move from class 9 to class 12.

In light of these changes, where relevant, we recommend updating your trade mark watching subscriptions to include the new classes. This will ensure continued monitoring of relevant products as they transition to different classes in the coming year. If you do not currently have a watching subscription, we would be pleased to assist you with this service.

You will of course need to bear this change in mind when filing any new trade mark applications. Existing registrations remain valid and do not need to be reclassified. However, some jurisdictions may require reclassification on renewal.

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be pleased to provide additional guidance on this or any other aspects of trade mark protection.