Thirteenth Edition of the Nice Classification Effective January 1, 2026
Summary
WIPO has announced that the Thirteenth Edition of the Nice Classification will take effect on January 1, 2026. This international classification of goods and services is used for trademark registration. The changes will affect how certain goods and services are classified, impacting new international trademark applications filed on or after the effective date.
What changed
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced the upcoming Thirteenth Edition of the Nice Classification, which will become effective on January 1, 2026. This edition introduces changes to the classification of certain goods and services, which will impact international trademark applications. Specifically, all new applications received by Offices of origin on or after January 1, 2026, and any WIPO applications received after the two-month time limit, will be subject to this new classification.
Affected parties, particularly those preparing international trademark applications, must review the changes carefully, especially if their basic mark was classified under an earlier edition. Existing international trademark registrations will not be reclassified. WIPO will update its eMadrid system and official publications to reflect the new classification, designated as 'NCL (13-2026)'.
What to do next
- Review the Thirteenth Edition of the Nice Classification for changes affecting goods and services.
- Update international trademark application processes to align with the new classification for filings on or after January 1, 2026.
Source document (simplified)
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.
Preview the 13th edition of the Nice Classification
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.
The goods and services manager in eMadrid will be updated on January 1, 2026.
Classification guidance
Learn how we examine and classify goods and services and get a better understanding of our decision-making processes and acceptability standards. Download our examination guidelines. [PDF ]
Need help?
Contact us with questions
Learn more
- Filing international trademark applications: Classification
- Information Notice 37/2025 [PDF ] Publication date: December 11, 2025
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