Starting January 1, 2026, the rules of the game are changing for everyone who registers, manages or monitors trademarks: the 13th edition of the Nice Classification (Nice Classification 2026) has entered into force.
To understand the impact of this change, we need to start from an essential aspect: The Nice Classification is the international system that divides all goods and services into classes, establishing what a trademark is protected for. In other words, it is not enough to own a trademark – what matters decisively is in which classes it is registered.
If you want a detailed, step-by-step explanation of how this system works and why it is crucial for the legal protection of a brand, we recommend our article:
Nice Classes Explained: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs and Trademark Owners.
What’s New in the 2026 Edition? Products and services are moved from one class to another, and this reclassification has direct effects on:
availability searches,
risk analyses (clearance),
trademark monitoring services,
and existing portfolio management.
Although the changes may seem technical, they can make the difference between a well-protected trademark and one vulnerable to conflicts or infringements.
What specifically changes in the 13th edition of the Nice Classification (2026)
The new edition of the Nice Classification does not change the general structure of the system (the 45 classes), but introduces important transfers of products and services between classes, as well as clarifications intended to more accurately reflect their actual use in the market.
Among the most relevant changes are:
Optical products (spectacles, contact lenses) are transferred from Class 9 to Class 10. However, smart glasses remain in Class 9 as they are considered electronic and technological products.
Rescue and intervention vehicles (fire engines, lifeboats) are moved from Class 9 to Class 12
Certain personal care products, such as electric toothbrushes, are moved from Class 10 to Class 21.
Clutch linings have been removed from Class 17: they will now be classified according to whether they are intended for land vehicles (Class 12) or not (Class 7).
Electrically heated clothing, when not for medical or protective purposes, is transferred from Class 11 to Class 25
Essential oils are reclassified according to their intended use: industrial use → Class 1; cosmetic/perfumery use → Class 3; food use (flavors) → Class 30
As far as services are concerned, the following changes can be mentioned:
Artificial Intelligence as a Service [AIaaS] has been included as a new entry in Class 42.
Changes to the rental of spectacles and the rental of sunglasses, both now classified only in Class 44.
These changes are not purely terminological: they directly influence the scope of protection of a trade mark.
Why these changes matter in practice
A key point to remember is the following: trade marks registered before 1 January 2026 remain in the old classes, while trade marks filed after this date will be classified according to the new edition.
This “coexistence” of old and new classes creates an important practical situation: the same products can appear in different classes, depending on the time of filing the trade mark.
Impact on availability searches and risk analyses
In this context, availability searches carried out before filing a trade mark need to be adapted. An analysis limited to a single class may miss relevant earlier rights, which exposes the holder to oppositions, cancellation requests, costly litigation.
Examples of good practice after 1 January 2026:
Classes 9 and 10 should be analysed together for optical products, taking into account the difference between medical and technological products (e.g. smart glasses).
Classes 9 and 12 for rescue vehicles
Classes 11 and 25 for heated clothing
Classes 10 and 21 should be analysed together for reclassified personal care products such as electric toothbrushes
The intended use of the product should be carefully analysed in the case of essential oils
In other words, searches are becoming more sophisticated and the standard approach is no longer sufficient.
Effects on trade mark monitoring
The same logic applies to monitoring services.
If a trade mark is monitored exclusively in the “new” class, there is a risk that applications previously filed in the old class will not be detected. This may lead to infringements not being detected in time, with a direct impact on the value of the trade mark.
During the transition period, it is recommended to monitor the old and new classes simultaneously for products affected by the reclassification.
The 13th edition of the Nice Classification represents one of the most important changes in recent years in the field of trademarks. Although its aim is to clarify and modernize the system, its effects are immediate.
