The “Nice” Trademark Classification System

Nice classes play a crucial role in the trademark registration process by categorising goods and services into specific classes based on their nature and intended use. Developed under the “Nice Agreement”, these classes provide a standardised framework that simplifies the identification and classification of trademarks worldwide. Each class represents a distinct category of products or services, ranging from chemicals and pharmaceuticals to clothing, telecommunications services, and beyond. By assigning trademarks to appropriate classes, the system facilitates efficient trademark searches, examination, and registration processes. This classification system ensures clarity and consistency in trademark databases, enabling businesses and authorities to more easily identify and differentiate between trademarks that may conflict with existing rights. Moreover, it helps applicants understand the scope of protection their trademarks will receive, ensuring that their rights are adequately defined and enforced in various jurisdictions globally.

Registering a trademark in a specific Nice class has several significant effects on the protection and management of intellectual property. First and foremost, it establishes exclusive rights to use the trademark for the goods or services specified within that class, providing legal protection against unauthorised use by others operating in the same or similar fields. However, registration in one class does not automatically extend protection to all other classes; each class must be individually applied for and registered. This means that while the trademark owner gains exclusive rights within the registered class, they must also consider registering their mark in additional classes relevant to their business to secure broader protection.

Below is a list of the Nice class headings for reference (12th Edition, Version 2024). A more detailed
list with explanatory notes can be found here.

GOODS

Class 1
Chemicals for use in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and
forestry; unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; fire extinguishing and fire prevention
compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; substances for tanning animal skins and hides;
adhesives for use in industry; putties and other paste fillers; compost, manures, fertilizers; biological
preparations for use in industry and science.
Class 2
Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and deterioration of wood; colourants,
dyes; inks for printing, marking and engraving; raw natural resins; metals in foil and powder form for
use in painting, decorating, printing and art.
Class 3
Non-medicated cosmetics and toiletry preparations; non-medicated dentifrices; perfumery, essential
oils; bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing and abrasive
preparations.
Class 4
Industrial oils and greases, wax; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels
and illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting.
Class 5
Pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes;
dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary use, food for babies; dietary
supplements for human beings and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; materials for stopping
teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides.
Class 6
Common metals and their alloys, ores; metal materials for building and construction; transportable
buildings of metal; non-electric cables and wires of common metal; small items of metal hardware;
metal containers for storage or transport; safes.
Class 7
Machines, machine tools, power-operated tools; motors and engines, except for land vehicles;
machine coupling and transmission components, except for land vehicles; agricultural implements,
other than hand-operated hand tools; incubators for eggs; and automatic vending machines.
Class 8
Hand tools and implements, hand-operated; cutlery; side arms, except firearms; razors.
Class 9
Scientific, research, navigation, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, audiovisual, optical,
weighing, measuring, signalling, detecting, testing, inspecting, life-saving and teaching apparatus and
instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating,
regulating or controlling the distribution or use of electricity; apparatus and instruments for recording,
transmitting, reproducing or processing sound, images or data; recorded and downloadable media,
computer software, blank digital or analogue recording and storage media; mechanisms for coin-
operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating devices; computers and computer peripheral devices;
diving suits, divers’ masks, ear plugs for divers, nose clips for divers and swimmers, gloves for divers,
breathing apparatus for underwater swimming; fire-extinguishing apparatus.
Class 10

Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments; artificial limbs, eyes and teeth;
orthopaedic articles; suture materials; therapeutic and assistive devices adapted for persons with
disabilities; massage apparatus; apparatus, devices and articles for nursing infants; sexual activity
apparatus, devices and articles.
Class 11
Apparatus and installations for lighting, heating, cooling, steam generating, cooking, drying,
ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes.
Class 12
Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water.
Class 13
Firearms; ammunition and projectiles; explosives; fireworks.
Class 14
Precious metals and their alloys; jewellery, precious and semi-precious stones; horological and
chronometric instruments.
Class 15
Musical instruments; music stands and stands for musical instruments; conductors’ batons.
Class 16
Paper and cardboard; printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationery and office
requisites, except furniture; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; drawing materials and
materials for artists; paintbrushes; instructional and teaching materials; plastic sheets, films and bags
for wrapping and packaging; printers’ type, and printing blocks.
Class 17
Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and substitutes for all
these materials; plastics and resins in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and
insulating materials; flexible pipes, tubes and hoses, not of metal.
Class 18
Leather and imitations of leather; animal skins and hides; luggage and carrying bags; umbrellas and
parasols; walking sticks; whips, harnesses and saddlery; collars, leashes and clothing for animals.
Class 19
Materials, not of metal, for building and construction; rigid pipes, not of metal, for building; asphalt,
pitch, tar and bitumen; transportable buildings, not of metal; monuments, not of metal.
Class 20
Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; containers, not of metal, for storage or transport; unworked or semi-
worked bone, horn, whalebone or mother-of-pearl; shells; meerschaum; yellow amber.
Class 21
Household or kitchen utensils and containers; cookware and tableware, except forks, knives and
spoons; combs and sponges; brushes, except paintbrushes; brush-making materials; articles for
cleaning purposes; unworked or semi-worked glass, except building glass; glassware, porcelain and
earthenware.
Class 22
Ropes and string; nets; tents and tarpaulins; awnings of textile or synthetic materials; sails; sacks for
the transport and storage of materials in bulk; padding, cushioning and stuffing materials, except
paper, cardboard, rubber or plastics; raw fibrous textile materials and substitutes therefor.
Class 23
Yarns and threads for textile use.

Class 24
Textiles and substitutes for textiles; household linen; curtains of textile or plastic.
Class 25
Clothing, footwear, headwear.
Class 26
Lace, braid and embroidery, and haberdashery ribbons and bows; buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and
needles; artificial flowers; hair decorations; false hair.
Class 27
Carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum and other materials for covering existing floors; wall
hangings, not of textile.
Class 28
Games, toys and playthings; video game apparatus; gymnastic and sporting articles; decorations for
Christmas trees.
Class 29
Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and
vegetables; jellies, jams, compotes; eggs; milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt and other milk products; oils
and fats for food.
Class 30
Coffee, tea, cocoa and substitutes therefor; rice, pasta and noodles; tapioca and sago; flour and
preparations made from cereals; bread, pastries and confectionery; chocolate; ice cream, sorbets and
other edible ices; sugar, honey, treacle; yeast, baking- powder; salt, seasonings, spices, preserved
herbs; vinegar, sauces and other condiments; ice (frozen water).
Class 31
Raw and unprocessed agricultural, aquacultural, horticultural and forestry products; raw and
unprocessed grains and seeds; fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs; natural plants and flowers;
bulbs, seedlings and seeds for planting; live animals; foodstuffs and beverages for animals; malt.
Class 32
Beers; non-alcoholic beverages; mineral and aerated waters; fruit beverages and fruit juices; syrups
and other preparations for making non-alcoholic beverages.
Class 33
Alcoholic beverages, except beers; alcoholic preparations for making beverages.
Class 34
Tobacco and tobacco substitutes; cigarettes and cigars; electronic cigarettes and oral vaporizers for
smokers; smokers’ articles; matches.

SERVICES

Class 35
Advertising; business management, organization and administration; office functions.
Class 36
Financial, monetary and banking services; insurance services; real estate services.
Class 37
Construction services; installation and repair services; mining extraction, oil and gas drilling.
Class 38

Telecommunications services.
Class 39
Transport; packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement.
Class 40
Treatment of materials; recycling of waste and trash; air purification and treatment of water; printing
services; food and drink preservation.
Class 41
Education; providing of training; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities.
Class 42
Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis,
industrial research and industrial design services; quality control and authentication services; design
and development of computer hardware and software.
Class 43
Services for providing food and drink; temporary accommodation.
Class 44
Medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals;
agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture and forestry services.
Class 45
Legal services; security services for the physical protection of tangible property and individuals; dating
services, online social networking services; funerary services; and babysitting.

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