A new and thirteenth edition of the Nice Classification, i.e., (NCL 13-2026) has been published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which will be applicable w.e.f. January 1, 2026. Some notable changes include:
- Spectacles, sunglasses, contact lenses (including anti-glare glasses, spectacle/ eyeglass chain, spectacle/ eyeglass lenses and frames, sunglasses for pets) shifted from Class 9 → Class 10
- Fire engines, lifeboats, evacuation chairs to move from Class 9 → Class 12
- Electrically heated clothing (including electrically heated socks and footmuffs) to move from Class 11 → Class 25
- Tongue scraper reclassified from Class 10 → Class 21
- Buttercream (icing) to move from Class 29 → Class 30
The NCL 13-2026 can be accessed at: nclpub.wipo.int/enfr/.
The new NCL 13-2026 effective from January 1, 2026 will apply to domestic applications filed on or after January 1, 2026 and international applications under the Madrid Protocol received by the Office of origin on or after January 1, 2026. Whereas, the applications filed before January 1, 2026 will continue to follow the old NCL 12-2025 and thus, such reclassification is not retrospective. In case of applications pending as on January 1, 2026 and if the goods/ services applied for are subject to reclassification as per NCL 13-2026, such applications will be examined and processed in accordance as per the prior existing classifications. Thus, in order to ensure compliance with the new NCL 13-2026, applicants are advised to re-evaluate their proposed applications covering the above reclassifications.
Source: Madrid System: Information Notice No. 37/2025