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As of 1 January 2026, South Africa has implemented the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification.
South Africa Adopts the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification
Following, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Official Circular No. 37/2025, announcing the implementation of the 13th edition of the Nice Classification, South Africa has adopted the updated 13th Edition of the Nice Classification for all trade mark filings effective 1 January 2026.
The South African Companies and Intellectual Property Commission advised companies about the 13th edition of the Nice Classification via Practice Note 3 of 2025, which was published on 9 December last year. The publication laid out the updated classifications applicable to all trade marks filed from 1 January this year. The changes align the country with global filing standards and will affect brand owners operating in technology, FMCG, cosmetics and automotive fields.
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