What is the Nice Classification and why is it so important?

The Nice Classification (NCL) is an international system used to categorise goods and services for trademark registration. Established by the Nice Agreement (1957), it is updated regularly to reflect evolving industries and technologies. The classification helps standardise trademark registrations globally, making it easier to search and register trademarks in multiple jurisdictions.

Overview of the Nice Classification

There are 45 classes:

• Classes 1–34: Cover goods.
• Classes 35–45: Cover services.

Summary of the Classes

Goods

1. Class 1: Chemicals used in industry and science.
2. Class 2: Paints, varnishes, lacquers, and preservatives.
3. Class 3: Cosmetics, cleaning products, and essential oils.
4. Class 4: Industrial oils, greases, fuels, and candles.
5. Class 5: Pharmaceuticals, medical products, and dietary supplements.
6. Class 6: Metals and metal products (e.g., building materials, hardware).
7. Class 7: Machinery and machine tools.
8. Class 8: Hand tools and implements.
9. Class 9: Electronics, software, and scientific instruments.
10. Class 10: Medical devices and instruments.
11. Class 11: Apparatus for lighting, heating, and cooling.
12. Class 12: Vehicles and vehicle parts.
13. Class 13: Firearms, fireworks, and explosives.
14. Class 14: Jewelry, precious metals, and watches.
15. Class 15: Musical instruments.
16. Class 16: Paper goods, stationery, and printed materials.
17. Class 17: Rubber, plastics, and insulating materials.
18. Class 18: Leather goods and travel items.
19. Class 19: Building materials (non-metallic).
20. Class 20: Furniture and home goods.
21. Class 21: Household items (e.g., kitchenware).
22. Class 22: Ropes, nets, and sails.
23. Class 23: Yarns and threads for textiles.
24. Class 24: Textiles and textile goods.
25. Class 25: Clothing, footwear, and headgear.
26. Class 26: Haberdashery (e.g., buttons, zippers).
27. Class 27: Floor coverings, carpets, and rugs.
28. Class 28: Toys, games, and sporting equipment.
29. Class 29: Food products (e.g., meat, dairy, and oils).
30. Class 30: Food products (e.g., coffee, bread, and desserts).
31. Class 31: Raw and agricultural products (e.g., grains, fruits).
32. Class 32: Non-alcoholic beverages and beers.
33. Class 33: Alcoholic beverages (except beers).
34. Class 34: Tobacco, smokers’ articles, and e-cigarettes.

Services

35. Class 35: Business services (e.g., advertising, retail).
36. Class 36: Financial and insurance services.
37. Class 37: Construction, maintenance, and repair services.
38. Class 38: Telecommunications.
39. Class 39: Transport and storage services.
40. Class 40: Treatment of materials (e.g., manufacturing services).
41. Class 41: Education, training, and entertainment services.
42. Class 42: Technology, science, and IT services.
43. Class 43: Hospitality (e.g., hotels, food services).
44. Class 44: Medical, veterinary, and agricultural services.
45. Class 45: Legal services, security, and personal services.

Key Points

• Multi-Class Filing: You can file a trademark in multiple classes but must pay additional fees per class.
• Class Headings: Descriptions summarise the types of goods/services included but are not exhaustive.
• Importance of class selection: When preparing your trade mark application, it is important that we include all the relevant goods and services you offer under your brand to ensure your trade mark application is as accurate as possible.
• Class expansion: once we have filed a trade mark application, we cannot add any classes to it. We would need to file a brand new application to cover these goods and services. Therefore, if we are able to, we will endeavour to ensure these are included from the outset.

The Trademarkroom team can guide you through this part of the application process, and ensure your trade mark application covers the goods and services you need, now and in the near future. Get in touch today with your questions.