The 13th Edition of the Nice Classification entered into force on 1 January 2026. While a number of trademark offices across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have moved to apply the new edition, others continue to rely on earlier versions, resulting in parallel classification standards across the region.

Current status by jurisdiction

  • 13th Edition: Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, United Arab Emirates
  • 12th Edition: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
  • 11th Edition: Iraq, Oman, Qatar
  • 10th Edition: Kuwait
  • 8th Edition: Libya

This divergence means that applicants must continue to assess classification strategy on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis.

Scope of changes under the 13th Edition

The 13th Edition does not introduce new classes. Instead, it refines class headings, explanatory notes, and individual terms across all 45 classes. The revisions are primarily technical and aim to improve consistency by tying classification more closely to function and intended use.

Notable examples include:

  • Reallocation of certain goods based on use, including non-smart optical goods moving out of Class 9
  • A more nuanced approach to essential oils, which are no longer automatically classified in Class 3 and may fall under Class 5 where therapeutic use is claimed
  • Explicit recognition of artificial intelligence as a service (AIaaS) in Class 42
  • Clarification of certain service activities that have historically faced inconsistent examination, such as airport lounge services, now classified in Class 43

While incremental, these revisions can materially affect the examination of specifications.

Practical implications for rights holders

Uneven adoption across the MENA region means that identical specifications may be accepted without issue in one jurisdiction and opposed in another, depending on the edition applied by the local office. This issue is particularly relevant for Madrid designations, where the Office of Origin applies the 13th Edition but designated MENA offices may continue to examine under earlier editions.

In jurisdictions that have adopted the 13th Edition, the changes apply to new filings only. Existing registrations are generally unaffected unless amended, and only within the limits permitted under local practice.

As long as multiple editions remain in parallel use, careful specification drafting and jurisdiction-specific review will remain essential for trademark filings in the region.