The Thirteenth Edition of the Nice Classification Comes Into Effect

On January 1, 2026, the 13th edition of the Nice Classification came into effect. Established by the Nice Agreement in 1957, the Nice Classification is an international system for classifying goods and services in trademark applications that is used by most international trademark registries. New editions are published every three years and updated annually.

Reclassified Goods and Newly Added Goods and Services

A few items have been reclassified in the 13th edition, including:

• Eyewear, including sunglasses, and corrective lenses (shifted from Class 9 to Class 10);
• Electric toothbrushes (shifted from Class 10 to Class 21);
• Electrically heated clothing (shifted from Class 11 to Class 25);
• Emergency and rescue vehicles (shifted from Class 9 to Class 12); and
• Essential oils (subdivided into Class 3 for cosmetic use, Class 5 for medical or therapeutic use, Class 30 for food use, and Class 1 for industrial/manufacturing use).

In addition, the 13th edition expressly recognizes a handful of new goods and services, including:

• Artificial intelligence as a service (AIaaS) in Class 42
• Life jackets for pets in Class 9
• Rage rooms (entertainment) in Class 41
• Notarial services in Class 45

What This Means for Trademark Owners

Eyewear and Apparel Industry Clients

Businesses that market eyewear, sunglasses, and related items should note that such items have been shifted from Class 9 to Class 10. Preexisting Class 9 registrations will remain in force, but may need to be reclassified (depending on the jurisdiction) at the next renewal. Going forward, all new trademark applications covering these goods should be filed in Class 10. Although not technically necessary, it might be worthwhile to file proactively in Class 10 for core trademarks to increase the likelihood of citation in examination and being noted in clearance. Finally, trademark owners using watch services for eyewear should update their subscription to ensure that Class 10 is covered.

Technology/Software Clients

The 13th edition's recognition of AIaaS reflects the growing importance of AI as a core business offering. Before this new edition, AI-related services were often covered under broader headings like “software as a service (SaaS).” This specification captures the provision of AI-based services via the internet or software platforms, allowing clients engaged in LLM (Large Language Model) access or machine learning platforms to more accurately specify their offerings for reduced ambiguity and better alignment with market reality.