Nice Classification 13th Edition (2026) Entered into Force on 1 January 2026

The 13th Edition of the Nice Classification (Nice Classification 13 – 2026), which constitutes the basis for international trademark registration, entered into force on 1 January 2026. All new trademark applications filed after this date will be examined on the basis of this edition with respect to the classification of goods and services.

The Nice Classification is the fundamental system that determines the goods and services for which trademarks are protected, and it is updated with each new edition in line with commercial, technological, and sectoral developments. The 13th Edition introduces significant structural changes, particularly in the fields of technology, healthcare, textiles, and services.

Key Changes Introduced by the 13th Edition

Under the new edition, the class placement of certain goods and services has been changed, while some definitions have been clarified and made more functional. The main changes observed in practice include the following:

  • Optical products (such as spectacles, sunglasses, lenses, and similar goods) are now classified under Class 10 instead of Class 9. However, smart glasses with electronic features continue to remain in Class 9.
  • Emergency and rescue vehicles (for example, fire engines and certain special-purpose vehicles) have been classified under Class 12, taking into account their technical characteristics.
  • Electrically heated clothing has been transferred from Class 11 to Class 25, based on its nature as apparel rather than its functional characteristics.
  • Essential oils are no longer grouped under a single class; instead, they are classified according to their intended use. Products for cosmetic purposes fall under Class 3, those for medical purposes under Class 5, and those for food-related purposes under Class 30.
  • Certain service definitions have been restructured, with retail activities, repair and maintenance services, and professional services being regulated through clearer class distinctions.

Impact on Practice

Trademark applications and registrations filed before 1 January 2026 remain valid under their existing classifications. However, such registrations are not automatically transferred to the new classes. In contrast, all trademark applications filed on or after 1 January 2026 must comply with the Nice Classification 13th Edition.

Accordingly:

  • The correct class selection in new trademark applications should be reassessed.
  • From the perspective of existing trademark portfolios, there may be a need to file additional applications in new classes for certain goods and services.
  • Trademark monitoring and search activities should be updated to cover both the former and the new classification structures.

The Nice Classification 13th Edition introduces changes that are not merely terminological but may have significant strategic implications for trademark protection. In order to ensure effective protection of trademark rights, application strategies and portfolio management processes should be aligned with this new framework.

It is observed that these changes have not yet been fully reflected in Turkish practice. The “Communiqué on the Classification of Goods and Services for Trademark Registration Applications”, last published on 20 December 2024, remains in force.

Updating this Communiqué in line with the Nice Classification 13th Edition (2026) is particularly important for ensuring consistency in practice, especially with regard to foreign trademark applications, international registrations, and procedures under the Madrid System.