🛢️ Nice Class 4: Fuels, Oils & Candles
The EUIPO register holds 45,335 trademarks in Class 4, the class for industrial oils, lubricants, fuels and candles (as of July 2026). (as of July 2026).
45,335
Marks in the EU register
27,637
Registered with the EUIPO
+36 %
Growth 2020–2024
51 %
Word mark share
Class 4 is one of the more compact goods classes: it covers industrial oils and greases, lubricants, fuels and illuminants, plus candles and wicks. The EUIPO register holds 45,335 trademarks in Class 4, of which 27,637 are registered (as of July 2026, EUIPO register data). Small does not mean sleepy: new registrations climbed from 2,079 in 2020 to 2,824 in 2024, a 36 percent increase, with another 2,572 added in 2025. The top filers hold a genuine surprise. ExxonMobil leads with 266 trademarks ahead of TotalEnergies with 187, but third place belongs to UEFA with 185, ahead of Shell (170) and BP (142). A football governing body among the biggest fuel filers? Broad merchandising protection simply covers candles and firelighters too. For founders, the lesson is that Class 4 is far more than the oil majors' class. And with 51 percent word marks, the name is the most common form of protection here.
What belongs in Class 4?
Class 4 covers industrial oils and greases, waxes, lubricants, dust-absorbing compositions, and fuels of every kind, from motor fuel to barbecue charcoal. Illuminants, candles and wicks for lighting belong here as well, and even electrical energy as a good. Important distinctions: chemical fuel additives fall under Class 1, essential oils and fragrance oils for cosmetics under Class 3. And if you trade in fuels rather than produce them, the retail service itself needs service classes such as Class 35.
Typical examples: Industrial oils, lubricants, fuels, candles
New EUIPO registrations per year in Class 4
Most active applicants in Class 4
| # | Applicant | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exxon Mobil Corporation | 266 |
| 2 | Totalenergies Se | 187 |
| 3 | Union Des Associations Européennes De Football (Uefa) | 185 |
| 4 | Shell Brands International Ag | 170 |
| 5 | Bp Plc | 142 |
| 6 | Castrol Limited | 132 |
| 7 | Chevron Intellectual Property Llc | 131 |
| 8 | Repsol Sa | 124 |
| 9 | Eni Spa | 107 |
| 10 | Fédération Internationale De Football Association (Fifa) | 107 |
Word mark or figurative mark?
Often combined with
Rarely file Class 4 on its own: in practice it is most often combined with Class 3 (scented candles, fragrance oils, cosmetics), Class 35 (retail and distribution) and Class 1 (chemical additives). Think about where your range is heading before you file, because the list of goods and services cannot be extended later. Since 51 percent of trademarks in Class 4 are word marks, a thorough name search pays off. And do not let the class size fool you: ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, UEFA, Shell and BP are watchful filers in this register.
Common mistakes with Class 4
The most common mistake comes from a booming founder scene: candle makers. If you file scented candles only in Class 4, you are unprotected the moment your range grows into room sprays, fragrance oils or home fragrance, because those sit in Class 3. Second mistake: confusing goods with trade. Selling fuels, say a pellet shop or an online store for barbecue supplies, is a Class 35 retail service that pure Class 4 filings often miss. Third, the chemistry line: additives that improve fuels are chemical products in Class 1, not Class 4. If you offer both, you need both classes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What belongs in Nice Class 4?
Class 4 covers industrial oils and greases, lubricants, fuels, illuminants, and candles and wicks. Electrical energy as a good belongs here too. Chemical fuel additives sit in Class 1 instead, and fragrance oils for cosmetics in Class 3.
Why does UEFA file trademarks in Class 4?
According to EUIPO register data (as of July 2026), UEFA ranks third in the class with 185 trademarks, behind ExxonMobil (266) and TotalEnergies (187) but ahead of Shell (170) and BP (142). Large rights holders often protect their brands across many goods classes so that merchandising such as candles or firelighters is covered.
I sell scented candles, is Class 4 enough?
For the candles themselves, yes; for a growing range, usually not. Fragrance oils, room sprays and other home fragrance products fall under Class 3, and an online shop as a retail service under Class 35. Filing Class 4 alone leaves a gap at your next product launch.
Which classes are typically combined with Class 4?
Most often Class 3 for fragrance oils and cosmetics, Class 35 for retail and distribution, and Class 1 for chemical additives. A candle maker with its own shop covers the typical gaps with 4, 3 and 35, while an additive manufacturer is more likely to need 4 plus 1.
Sources
EUIPO – European Union Intellectual Property Office: register data on EU trade marks and international registrations with EU protection, as of July 2026.
WIPO – Nice Classification: class definitions and headings (11th edition).
Methodology: own analysis by markencheck.ai; counted per filing entity, name variants merged.
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