Coming on January 1, 2026: Thirteenth Edition of the Nice Classification

The 13th edition of the Nice Classification will take effect on January 1, 2026. The Nice Classification is the international classification of goods and services used for the registration of marks. New editions are published every three years, with annual updates to each edition.

Key changes

The changes affect where certain goods and services are classified – some have moved to different classes.

Review the changes carefully when you prepare your international trademark application(s), especially if your national or regional trademark application or registration (“basic mark”) was classified using an earlier edition of the Nice Classification.

What will the new edition apply to?

• All new applications received by Offices of origin on or after January 1, 2026
• Any application that we (WIPO) receive on or after January 1, 2026, after the two-month time limit referred to in Article 3(4) of the Madrid Protocol.

Existing international trademark registrations with a date earlier than January 1, 2026, will not be reclassified.

We’ll add the abbreviation “NCL (13‑2026)” next to the goods and services in notifications to designated Madrid System members, registration certificates, official publications and in the asset details in eMadrid.

Source: WIPO | https://www.wipo.int/