Class 2 under the Nice Classification for Trademarks covers paints, varnishes, lacquers, pigments, dyes, printing inks, and protective coating preparations used for industrial, commercial, decorative, and surface-protection purposes. Businesses involved in paints manufacturing, construction materials, industrial coatings, automotive finishes, printing inks, corrosion prevention, and surface treatment solutions typically fall within Trademark Class 2.

Scope

Class 2 includes substances applied to surfaces primarily for protection, decoration, colouring, preservation, or finishing.
Goods covered under this class generally include:

• Paints, varnishes, and lacquers (industrial and decorative)
• Protective and anti-corrosion coatings
• Anti-rust and wood-preserving preparations
• Pigments, dyes, and colourants
• Printing inks and toners
• Raw natural resins
• Metal foils and metal powders for painting, decorating, or printing
• Surface-coating preparations for buildings, machinery, vehicles, and infrastructure

Classification principle: If the primary function of the product is coating, colouring, or surface protection, it generally falls within Class 2.

Key Updates – Nice Classification (2026 Update)

As per the Nice Classification updates 2026, the following clarifications are particularly relevant to Class 2:
Clearer demarcation between:

• Paints and surface coatings (Class 2), and
• Chemical compositions with functional or reactive properties (Class 1)
  Reaffirmed inclusion of printing inks and toners within Class 2
  Refined terminology to reduce overlap with:
• Cosmetic and personal-use colouring products (Class 3)
• Industrial chemicals not intended for coating or colouring (Class 1)
  Conductive inks used in electronics and specialized industrial coatings were earlier sometimes filed in Class 1 or Class 9. Nice 2026 clarifies that such products belong in Class 2 as coatings or paints. This clarification reflects the increasing use of functional coatings in electronics and construction. Companies dealing in smart coatings or industrial paints must now ensure filing under Class 2 to avoid registry objections.

Practical takeaway: Trademark specifications must now be more precisely drafted, especially for hybrid products combining chemical and coating characteristics.

Goods NOT Included in Class 2 (But Commonly Confused)

The following goods are excluded from Class 2, despite frequent misclassification:

• Chemical preparations and additives for industrial processes (Class 1)
• Cosmetic dyes, hair colouring preparations, and beauty colourants (Class 3)
• Food colouring substances (Class 30)
• Writing inks and inks for stationery purposes (Class 16)
• Unprocessed artificial or synthetic resins (Class 1)
• Industrial adhesives and glues (Class 1)
• Cleaning, polishing, and abrasive preparations (Class 3)

Why Correct Nice Class 2 Classification Is Important

Incorrect trademark classification under Nice Class 2 can lead to:

• Trademark examination objections
• Restricted legal protection
• Vulnerability during opposition, rectification, or infringement proceedings
  A properly drafted Nice Class 2 trademark specification ensures broader enforcement rights, reduces litigation risk, and strengthens brand protection in the paints and coatings sector.