--- title: Important changes to how some goods and services are classified in 2026 description: New changes in the 13th edition of the Nice Classification impact trade mark classes for goods like eyewear, essential oils, and vehicles, effective January 2026. image: https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/sincerely-media-d05w6_7FaPM-unsplash.jpg --- [![dark-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/dark-logo.png) ![top-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/top-logo.png) ![dark-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/dark-logo.png) ![top-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/top-logo.png) ![dark-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/dark-logo.png)](https://moranlaw.co) - Our Services - [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) - [Commercial and Corporate](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) - [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) - [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) - [Not-For-Profit](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) - [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) - [Our Team](https://moranlaw.co/moranlaw-team) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) [Contact us](https://moranlaw.co/contact) - Our Services - [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) - [Commercial and Corporate](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) - [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) - [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) - [Not-For-Profit](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) - [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) - [Our Team](https://moranlaw.co/moranlaw-team) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) [Contact us](https://moranlaw.co/contact) - Our Services - [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) - [Commercial and Corporate](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) - [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) - [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) - [Not-For-Profit](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) - [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) - [Our Team](https://moranlaw.co/moranlaw-team) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) ##### WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND Level 1, 40 Lady Elizabeth Lane Wellington 6011 Postal: PO Box 10538 Wellington 6140 Phone: +64 4 830 2430 Email: [wellington@moranlaw.co](mailto:wellington@moranlaw.co) ##### AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Suite 502, Level 5, Achilles House 8 Commerce Street Auckland 1010 Phone: +64 4 830 2430 Email: [team@moranlaw.co](mailto:team@moranlaw.co) ##### SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Level 26, 44 Market Street  Sydney, NSW, 2000 Phone: +61 2 9091 4258 Email: [sydney@moranlaw.co](mailto:sydney@moranlaw.co) ![](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/sincerely-media-d05w6_7FaPM-unsplash.jpg?width=1280&name=sincerely-media-d05w6_7FaPM-unsplash.jpg) # Important changes to how some goods and services are classified in 2026 ![Amanda Griffiths](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20team%20member%20social%20photo-4.png?width=80&name=New%20team%20member%20social%20photo-4.png) [Amanda Griffiths](https://moranlaw.co/blog/author/amanda-griffiths) January 15, 2026, 10:08:48 AM NZDT The 13th edition of the [Nice Classification](https://www.wipo.int/en/web/classification-nice) came into force on 1st January 2026.  The Nice Classification is the international classification system which sets out the 45 classes of goods and services a trade mark can cover.  Most countries use this international standard for trade mark classification including New Zealand and Australia. A new edition of the Nice Classification is published every three years and often represents major changes such as goods and services being transferred to new classes. The key changes in the 13th edition are around optical goods such as eyewear, contact lenses and sunglasses. Optical goods have been moved out of class 9 (as well as other goods like emergency vehicles) so class 9 can focus more broadly on technological and digital related goods.  Class 9 remains one of the most frequently filed for classes. So, the removal of some goods from this class will be a welcome relief to those who have grappled with a large number of hits when searching.  **What are some of the changes?** ![sincerely-media-d05w6\_7FaPM-unsplash](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/sincerely-media-d05w6_7FaPM-unsplash.jpg?width=491&height=327&name=sincerely-media-d05w6_7FaPM-unsplash.jpg) “Spectacles, eyeglasses, pince-nez”, and “contact lenses” and “sunglasses” Moved from class 9 to class 10.  The move reflects these goods being seen as falling within the scope of medical apparatus and instruments. ![crystalweed-cannabis-Qd37vTyByBs-unsplash](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/crystalweed-cannabis-Qd37vTyByBs-unsplash.jpg?width=491&height=327&name=crystalweed-cannabis-Qd37vTyByBs-unsplash.jpg) “Medicinal essential oils” and “essential oils for pharmaceutical or medical purposes” Moved from class 3 to class 5.  With class 5 covering pharmaceuticals and other preparations for medical purposes, the move reflects the purpose of the goods. ![bernd-dittrich-849i9WK-G\_A-unsplash](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/bernd-dittrich-849i9WK-G_A-unsplash.jpg?width=491&height=320&name=bernd-dittrich-849i9WK-G_A-unsplash.jpg) “Fire engines” and “lifeboats” Moved from class 9 to class 12 which covers vehicles. ![dixit-dhinakaran-gddf1qUUjg4-unsplash](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/dixit-dhinakaran-gddf1qUUjg4-unsplash.jpg?width=491&height=327&name=dixit-dhinakaran-gddf1qUUjg4-unsplash.jpg) “Essential oils for flavouring foods”, “essential oils for flavouring cakes” and “essential oils for flavouring beverages” Moved from class 3 to class 30.  The change reflects that the essential oils are being used in relation to foodstuffs, which is covered by class 30. ![charles-etoroma-lczGUTLRExs-unsplash](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/charles-etoroma-lczGUTLRExs-unsplash.jpeg?width=491&height=311&name=charles-etoroma-lczGUTLRExs-unsplash.jpeg) “Electronically heated clothing” Moved from class 11 to class 25 which broadly covers clothing items. IPONZ has clearly set out the full list of changes at [Appendix five](https://www.iponz.govt.nz/get-ip/trade-marks/practice-guidelines/current/classification-and-specification/). **More changes to come?** Class 9 continues to grow in popularity for trade mark owners who want to protect computer hardware, software, apps etc. There is a good argument to make that WIPO should continue to limit this class to technological and digital related goods to prevent it becoming unwieldy. For example, moving safety and life-saving gear such as protective clothing and helmets from class 9 to class 25 (which is the main clothing class) could be an option in the future. While new editions of the Nice Classification are published every three years, it is also reviewed regularly with a new version of each edition being published annually. So, we can expect further changes to come. **Implications of the 13th edition for trade mark owners** Trade mark owners will not need to amend existing trade mark registrations or applications filed before 2026.  But, any applications filed from 1st January 2026 will need to ensure the classes selected reflect the new classifications. Existing registrations will not be reclassified and will remain in their former classes. This means when carrying out a clearance search, the old and new classes must be covered to avoid missing any conflicting marks.  It is also a good idea to check any agreements such as co-existence agreements or licence agreements which specifically refer to the impacted goods and amend watching services if required. Our strategy for searching, filing and monitoring trade marks reflects these important changes.  But, if you have any questions about how the 13th Nice Classification may affect your trade mark portfolio, please [reach out to the MoranLaw team](https://moranlaw.co/contact). Share on: [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://moranlaw.co/blog/important-changes-to-how-some-goods-and-services-are-classified-in-2026) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://moranlaw.co/blog/important-changes-to-how-some-goods-and-services-are-classified-in-2026) Tags: [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/blog/tag/intellectual-property) You may also like ![](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Images%20(1).png?width=630&name=Article%20Images%20(1).png) June 8, 2026, 3:18:06 PM NZST Patagonia vs Pattie Gonia: How a trade mark lawsuit became a cultural moment ![](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Beige%20Neutral%20Question%20and%20Answer%20Business%20Chat%20Your%20Story%20(300%20x%20175%20px)%20(1).png?width=630&name=Beige%20Neutral%20Question%20and%20Answer%20Business%20Chat%20Your%20Story%20(300%20x%20175%20px)%20(1).png) October 6, 2025, 3:59:21 PM NZDT If it's not on Strava, it didn't happen... ![](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Legal%20Update-2.png?width=630&name=Legal%20Update-2.png) December 3, 2024, 3:39:43 PM NZDT SKY Given a (Partial) Kicking in SKYKICK Supreme Court Judgment ### SPECIALIST AREAS [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) [Commercial and Corporate Law](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) [Not-For-Profits](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) ### The Team - [Scott Moran](https://moranlaw.co/scott-moran-moranlaw) - [Amanda Griffiths](https://moranlaw.co/amanda-griffiths-moranlaw) - [Louisa Joblin](https://moranlaw.co/louisa-joblin-moranlaw) - [Jessie Malcolm](https://moranlaw.co/jessie-malcolm-moranlaw) - [Ffion Merchant-Williams](https://moranlaw.co/ffion-merchant-williams-moranlaw) - [John Hackett](https://moranlaw.co/john-hackett-moranlaw) - [Chelcie Kite](https://moranlaw.co/chelcie-kite-moranlaw) - [Venetia McInman](https://moranlaw.co/venetia-mcinman-moranlaw) - [Fergielyn Catayoc](https://moranlaw.co/fergielyn-catayoc-moranlaw) - [Lucas d’Arbois de Jubainville](https://moranlaw.co/lucas-darbois-de-jubainville-moranlaw) - [Kimberley Will](https://moranlaw.co/kimberley-will-moranlaw) - [Shamara Polliack](https://moranlaw.co/shamara-polliack-moranlaw) - [Tracey Lucas](https://moranlaw.co/tracey-lucas-moranlaw) - [Kathy Hunter](https://moranlaw.co/kathy-hunter-moranlaw) - [Sara Barnes](https://moranlaw.co/sara-barnes-moranlaw) - [Rebecca Evans](https://moranlaw.co/rebecca-evans-moranlaw) - [Flora Dryburgh](https://moranlaw.co/flora-dryburgh-moranlaw) - [Jacky Simperingham](https://moranlaw.co/jacky-simperingham-moranlaw) - [Tom Winfield](https://moranlaw.co/tom-winfield-moranlaw) ### Quick Links - [Contact Us](https://moranlaw.co/contact) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Privacy Policy](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-policy) - [Terms](https://moranlaw.co/terms-of-engagement) - [Our Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) © MoranLaw Limited 2024 [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/moranlaw) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/moranlawnzau/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557642282289) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Amanda Griffiths", "url" : "https://moranlaw.co/blog/author/amanda-griffiths" }, "dateModified" : "2026-01-14T21:08:48.633Z", "datePublished" : "2026-01-14T21:08:48.000Z", "headline" : "Important changes to how some goods and services are classified in 2026", "image" : [ "https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/sincerely-media-d05w6_7FaPM-unsplash.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://moranlaw.co/blog/important-changes-to-how-some-goods-and-services-are-classified-in-2026", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/RGB-MoranLaw-logo-primary-BlueAndGreen-2.png" }, "name" : "Moran Law" } } ```