Trademark Class 1: Chemicals, Fertilisers, Adhesives and Resins
Similar name found in Class 1. Talk to a trademark expert before you file, so you do not lose the government fee to an objection.
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Trademark Class 1 is the class for chemicals that businesses use to make other products. It covers industrial and lab chemicals, fertilisers and compost, industrial adhesives, unprocessed resins and plastics, and fire extinguishing compositions. Pesticides, medicines, paints and household glue are not in Class 1. The government fee is ₹4,500 or ₹9,000 for this class.
Trademark Class 1 overview: what does it cover?
Trademark Class 1 covers chemicals used to make other things. These are chemicals for industry, science, photography, farming, gardening and forestry. The class also includes fertilisers, compost, industrial adhesives, unprocessed resins and plastics, fire extinguishing compositions and biological preparations used in industry or science.
A simple test helps. If your product is a raw or semi-finished chemical that a factory, lab or farm uses as an input, it is usually Class 1. If it is a finished product for a consumer, such as a cream, a medicine or a household glue, it usually belongs to another class.
Understanding the official heading of Class 1
The Nice Classification, which India follows under Section 8 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, gives this heading for Class 1:
| Part of the heading | What it means in plain words |
|---|---|
| Chemicals for use in industry, science and photography, agriculture, horticulture and forestry | Acids, solvents, salts, lab reagents, photo chemicals, chemicals for farms |
| Unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics | Resin and plastic in raw form, such as granules, powder or liquid, before moulding |
| Fire extinguishing and fire prevention compositions | Foam, powder and liquid used inside extinguishers (the cylinder itself is Class 9) |
| Tempering and soldering preparations | Fluxes and pastes used to treat and join metals |
| Substances for tanning animal skins and hides | Tanning agents used by leather units |
| Adhesives for use in industry | Glues for factories, construction and packaging lines |
| Putties and other paste fillers | Fillers used to level or seal surfaces |
| Compost, manures, fertilisers | Chemical, organic and bio-fertilisers, soil conditioners |
| Biological preparations for use in industry and science | Enzymes, cultures and microorganisms used in manufacturing or labs |
Class 1 at a glance
| Class number | 1 (goods) |
|---|---|
| Main goods | Industrial chemicals, fertilisers, adhesives for industry, unprocessed resins and plastics |
| Most common mix-up | Pesticides (Class 5), household glue (Class 16), paints (Class 2) |
| Often filed with | Classes 5, 2, 4, 35 |
| Government fee | ₹4,500 or ₹9,000 per class (e-filing) |
| Nice edition in force | NCL 13-2026 (from 1 January 2026) |
Goods classified under Class 1: full list by type
The Nice list has hundreds of Class 1 items. These are the ones Indian businesses file for most often, grouped so you can find your product quickly.
Industrial and laboratory chemicals
- Acids and alkalis: sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, caustic soda
- Industrial solvents and chemical reagents for labs (not for medical use)
- Salts for industrial use, including salt for preserving other than food
- Catalysts, emulsifiers, surfactants for industrial processes
- Water treatment chemicals and water softening preparations
- Chemicals for the textile, leather, paper and rubber industries
Fertilisers, compost and farm chemicals
- Chemical fertilisers: urea, DAP, NPK mixtures
- Organic manure, vermicompost, compost and humus
- Bio-fertilisers and bio-stimulants
- Soil conditioners, plant growth regulators and seed preparations
- Growing media such as peat and potting soil
Resins, plastics and adhesives
- Unprocessed artificial resins: epoxy resin, polyester resin
- Unprocessed plastics in powder, liquid or granule form
- Adhesives for industry, construction and wallpaper
- Putties and paste fillers
Food, cosmetic and pharma ingredients
- Chemical preservatives for food and beverages
- Food additives used in manufacture, such as pectin, lecithin and enzymes
- Ingredients for making cosmetics and medicines, such as vitamins and antioxidants sold to manufacturers
- Terpenes (moved into Class 1 from Class 3 in the 13th edition of the Nice Classification)
Other Class 1 goods
- Fire extinguishing compositions and fire retardants
- Soldering and welding chemicals, fluxes
- Tanning substances for leather
- Photographic chemicals, sensitised films and plates (not exposed)
- Coolants for vehicle engines and brake fluids
- Biological cultures and enzymes for industry and science
What is not in Class 1?
Many chemical products belong to a different class because of how they are used. Filing these in Class 1 leaves your real product unprotected.
| Product | Correct class | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides | 5 | They destroy pests and weeds, which Nice places with medicines and disinfectants |
| Chemicals for medical or veterinary use | 5 | Medical use moves a chemical to Class 5 |
| Paints, varnishes, raw natural resins | 2 | Coatings and natural resins have their own class |
| Glue for stationery or household use | 16 | Only industrial adhesives stay in Class 1 |
| Salt for preserving food, table salt | 30 | Food salt is a foodstuff |
| Soaps, detergents, cosmetics | 3 | Finished cleaning and personal care products |
| Fuel and lubricants | 4 | Oils, greases and fuels are Class 4 |
| Plastics in sheets, rods or blocks for further manufacture | 17 | Semi-processed plastic shapes are Class 17 |
| Fresh seeds, live plants, straw mulch | 31 | Natural farm produce, not chemicals |
Who should file a trademark in Class 1?
- Fertiliser, bio-fertiliser and agro-input brands
- Chemical manufacturers, traders and importers selling under a brand
- Makers of industrial and construction adhesives
- Resin and plastic raw material suppliers
- Water treatment chemical companies
- Suppliers of food additives and cosmetic or pharma ingredients to manufacturers
- Fire safety chemical makers
A trader who only resells another company's branded chemical does not need to file. A trader who packs and sells under his own name should.
Classes related to Class 1 and multi-class filing
Chemical businesses often sell more than one type of product. Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act lets you cover several classes in one application, with a fee for each class.
| If you also sell | Add class |
|---|---|
| Pesticides or crop protection products | 5 |
| Paints, primers, wood coatings | 2 |
| Cleaning products for homes | 3 |
| Lubricants, industrial oils | 4 |
| Seeds and plants | 31 |
| Your own online store or dealer network | 35 |
| Testing, research or lab services | 42 |
| Farm advisory or soil testing for farmers | 44 |
On IP India records, a multi-class application can appear with the number 99 in the class field. That is only a marker for "more than one class", not a Nice class.
Class 1 vs Class 5 for agro-chemical brands
This is the most common mix-up. Fertilisers, soil conditioners and plant growth regulators feed or support the plant, so they are Class 1. Insecticides, fungicides and weedicides kill pests or weeds, so they are Class 5. An agro brand selling both should file both classes, or a competitor can take the name in the class you skipped.
Class 1 vs Class 16 for adhesives
Glue sold to factories, builders and packaging units is Class 1. Glue sold in small tubes or bottles for home, school or office use is Class 16. A brand that sells both packs should file both classes.
Nice Classification changes that affect Class 1
WIPO's 13th edition (NCL 13-2026) came into force on 1 January 2026. For Class 1 the main change is that terpenes moved here from Class 3. Marks already registered are not reclassified. If you file now, check the class against the IP India e-filing goods list on the day you file, because that list decides what the Registry accepts.
How to write your Class 1 goods description
The goods description, also called the specification, decides what your registration actually protects. The Registry can object to vague wording, so describe the real product.
| Weak description | Better description |
|---|---|
| Chemicals | Water treatment chemicals; chemical additives for the textile industry |
| Agro products | Fertilisers; bio-fertilisers; soil conditioners; plant growth regulating preparations |
| Glue | Adhesives for use in the construction and packaging industries |
| All goods in Class 1 | List only what you sell or plan to sell soon |
Brand names that face objections in Class 1
Under Section 9 of the Trade Marks Act, the Registry refuses names that only describe the product or its quality. In Class 1, examiners often object to names like "Pure Chem", "Agro Grow", "Super Fertiliser" or "Fast Bond" for adhesives, because they describe the goods. A coined word or an unrelated word, such as a made-up name, is far easier to register and protect.
Under Section 11, a name that looks or sounds like an earlier mark in Class 1 or a related class (5, 2, 3) can also be refused. That is why the availability check above searches the same, similar and sound-alike names.
Trademark is not a licence to sell chemicals
A Class 1 trademark protects your brand name only. It does not give permission to make or sell the product. Depending on your goods, you may still need other approvals, for example:
- Fertilisers: registration under the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985 with the state agriculture department
- Hazardous chemicals: rules under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, including the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989
- Food additives and preservatives: FSSAI rules if they go into food
- Factory and pollution consents: from the state pollution control board
Check the licence your exact product needs before launch. Our team can guide you on both the trademark and the business registrations.
How to check trademark availability in Class 1
- Use the free check at the top of this page. Type your brand name. It shows same, similar and sound-alike marks in Class 1 with their status.
- Check related classes too. Search the name in Classes 2, 3, 4 and 5 using our trademark search if your product could fall there.
- Confirm on IP India. Run a final check on the IP India public search with class 1 selected.
- Read the status. A registered or advertised mark in Class 1 with a similar name is a real risk. An abandoned or refused mark is usually not.
How to register a trademark in Class 1
- Search the name in Class 1 and related classes.
- Prepare the goods description with accepted Class 1 terms.
- File Form TM-A on the IP India e-filing portal. You get an application number the same day and can use the ™ symbol.
- Examination: the Registry checks the name and goods. If it raises an objection, reply within one month (Rule 33, Trade Marks Rules, 2017).
- Trade Marks Journal: accepted marks are advertised. Anyone can oppose within four months.
- Registration: with no opposition, or after you win one, the mark is registered and you can use ®. Renew every 10 years.
Documents needed for a Class 1 application
- Applicant's name, address and nationality; company or LLP incorporation details if not an individual
- Udyam (MSME) or DPIIT startup certificate to pay the lower fee
- Logo in JPG format, if you are filing a logo
- List of Class 1 goods you sell
- Date of first use and a user affidavit with proof, if you have already been using the brand
- Form TM-48 (authorisation) if an agent or attorney files for you
Class 1 trademark fee
| Applicant | E-filing fee (Class 1) | Paper filing fee |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, startup, small enterprise | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Company, LLP and others | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
These are government fees per class under the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. An agro brand filing Classes 1 and 5 as a startup pays ₹9,000 in government fees online.
Common mistakes in Class 1 filings
- Filing pesticides in Class 1. Crop protection products are Class 5.
- Copying the whole class heading. It invites objections and protects nothing specific.
- Choosing a descriptive name. "Bio", "Agro", "Chem" plus a common word is hard to register.
- Ignoring the consumer pack. Household glue or home garden products may need Class 16 or Class 5.
- Skipping Class 35. If you run a dealer network or online store under the brand, the selling service needs Class 35.
- Not searching sound-alike names. Chemical brands often differ by one letter, which the Registry still treats as similar.
Benefits of registering your brand in Class 1
- Exclusive right to use the name for your Class 1 goods across India
- Legal action against copied packs and look-alike brand names in the agro and chemical trade
- Easier dealer and distributor onboarding, as many ask for a registered or applied mark
- Protection on online marketplaces through brand registry programmes
- A business asset you can license to contract manufacturers or sell
Quick guide: is your product in Class 1?
Answer these questions in order. The first "yes" gives you the class.
- Is it used to kill pests, weeds, fungus or germs, or to treat people or animals? Then it is Class 5, not Class 1.
- Is it a paint, varnish, dye, ink or natural resin? Then it is Class 2.
- Is it a finished cleaning, beauty or laundry product for homes? Then it is Class 3.
- Is it a fuel, lubricant or industrial oil? Then it is Class 4.
- Is it glue in a small pack for home, school or office? Then it is Class 16.
- Is it a chemical, fertiliser, industrial adhesive or raw resin used by a factory, lab or farm? Then it is Class 1.
If you are still unsure, describe the product and its use to our team. We will tell you the class before you spend on filing.
Protecting the name, logo and pack
A word mark protects the brand name in any font or colour, which matters in the chemical trade where packs are copied often. A logo mark protects the design as filed. Many agro and chemical brands file both: first the word mark in Class 1, then the logo when the pack design is final. Both can be filed on the same day as separate applications.
A distinctive bag or bottle design can also be protected under the Designs Act, 2000, and the label artwork through copyright. A trademark lawyer can tell you which of these your pack needs.
Selling chemicals abroad
An Indian Class 1 registration protects your brand only in India. Exporters of fertilisers, dyes intermediates or specialty chemicals can file in other countries through the Madrid Protocol using their Indian application as the base, or file directly in each country. Class 1 has the same meaning in all Nice member countries, which makes the goods list easy to reuse.
After registration: keeping your Class 1 mark safe
- Use the mark on your goods. A mark not used for five years can be removed on a non-use challenge.
- Watch the Trade Marks Journal for similar new marks in Classes 1 and 5, and oppose within four months.
- Renew every 10 years with Form TM-R. Renewal is per class.
- Record changes such as a new address or a transfer of ownership with the Registry.
Examples of choosing classes for Class 1 businesses
Example: a Rajkot maker of organic manure and bio-fertiliser. It filed Class 1 for the fertilisers. Its neem-based pest repellent needed Class 5, so both went in one application.
Example: a Vadodara supplier of epoxy resin and construction adhesives to builders. Class 1 covered both products. A planned DIY glue tube for hardware shops needed Class 16 as well.
Example: a Pune water treatment chemicals company that also offers plant maintenance contracts. It filed Class 1 for the chemicals and Class 37 for the maintenance service.
Neighbouring trademark classes
Trademark Class 1 FAQs
What is Trademark Class 1?
Trademark Class 1 covers chemicals used in industry, science, photography, agriculture, horticulture and forestry. It also includes fertilisers, compost, industrial adhesives, unprocessed artificial resins and plastics, fire extinguishing compositions, tanning substances and biological preparations for industry. It is the class for chemical inputs that factories, labs and farms use, not finished consumer products.
Are fertilisers covered under Class 1 or Class 5?
Fertilisers, manure, compost, bio-fertilisers, soil conditioners and plant growth regulators are Class 1, because they nourish or support plants. Products that kill insects, fungus or weeds, such as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, are Class 5. An agro brand that sells both fertilisers and crop protection products should file in both classes.
Which class is glue or adhesive in?
It depends on who uses it. Adhesives for industry, construction, packaging and wallpaper are Class 1. Glue sold in small tubes or bottles for home, school or office use is Class 16 with stationery. Adhesives for false nails or eyelashes are Class 3. A brand selling both industrial and household packs should file Classes 1 and 16.
Is wall putty in Class 1?
Yes. The Nice Classification lists putties and other paste fillers in Class 1, so a wall putty brand should file in Class 1. Paint companies that sell putty and paints under one name should file both Class 1 and Class 2. If the putty is a cement-based building material, a Class 19 filing may also be useful for full protection.
Are pesticides and insecticides in Class 1?
No. Pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and vermin-destroying preparations are in Class 5, even though they are chemicals. Nice places them with disinfectants and medicines because their purpose is to destroy pests. Filing a pesticide brand only in Class 1 would leave the actual product unprotected, so always choose Class 5 for crop protection goods.
Does Class 1 cover food additives and preservatives?
Yes, when they are sold to manufacturers. Chemical preservatives for food, and additives such as pectin, lecithin and enzymes used in food processing, are Class 1. Finished foods are not. Salt for preserving food or table salt is Class 30. Ingredients for making cosmetics and medicines, such as vitamins sold to manufacturers, are also Class 1.
Is a Class 1 trademark enough to sell fertilisers in India?
No. A trademark only protects the brand name. To make or sell fertilisers you also need registration under the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985 from the state agriculture department, and other licences may apply to hazardous chemicals. File the trademark early, because the brand appears on bags and dealer material before sales start.
What is the trademark fee for Class 1?
The government fee for Form TM-A in Class 1 is ₹4,500 for individuals, startups and small enterprises filing online, and ₹9,000 for companies and others. Paper filing costs ₹5,000 or ₹10,000. Each extra class costs the same again. Professional charges for search, drafting and filing are separate from these government fees.
Which classes are related to Class 1?
Class 5 (pesticides and medical chemicals), Class 2 (paints and natural resins), Class 3 (cleaning products), Class 4 (oils and fuels), Class 16 (household glue), Class 17 (semi-processed plastics) and Class 31 (seeds and plants) are close to Class 1. Chemical businesses often add Class 35 for their dealer network or online store.
What does class 99 mean on IP India for a chemical brand?
Class 99 is not a real trademark class. IP India records show 99 when a single application covers more than one class, for example Classes 1 and 5 for an agro brand. The fee is still charged for each class. Check the goods listed under the application to see which actual classes it covers.
Can I register a chemical name like an acid as a trademark?
No. Common names of chemicals, such as sulphuric acid or urea, describe the product and cannot be owned by anyone under Section 9 of the Trade Marks Act. Your brand should be a distinctive word that is not the name, quality or purpose of the goods. A coined word is the easiest to register.
How long does Class 1 trademark registration take?
The application number comes the same day and you can use the TM symbol at once. Examination, any objection reply within one month, publication in the Trade Marks Journal and the four-month opposition period follow. Without objections or opposition, registration often takes about a year, but timelines depend on the Registry.
Sources: WIPO Nice Classification (class headings and explanatory notes) · IP India Trade Mark Public Search · Official fees (Trade Marks Rules 2017) · Trade Marks Act, 1999. Content updated .
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Reviewed By
Expert for this topic Trademark classification and registration
Abhinay rai
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Abhinay rai is a Founder specialising in Trademark classification and registration. The class contents on this page are checked against the WIPO Nice Classification (current edition), the Trade Marks Act, 1999, the Trade Marks Rules, 2017 and the official IP India fee schedule, and are updated when they change.
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