Introduction
India’s household goods market is one of the fastest-growing segments driven by demand for kitchen utensils, non-electric cookware, bottles, containers, cleaning tools, and home decor glassware. If your business deals in such products—whether you manufacture, import, sell online, or distribute—you must file your trademark under Class 21.
Trademark Class 21 protects brands offering household and kitchen utensils, glassware, ceramic items, brushes, and cleaning instruments. This guide covers everything about Class 21: what’s included, excluded, successful brand case studies, registration process, international coverage, and expert tips.
Let’s explore this essential class that supports thousands of Indian brands in kitchen and houseware sectors.
Legal Basis in India
India follows the Nice Classification (11th edition) under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. According to this system:
Class 21 includes:
“Household or kitchen utensils and containers; cookware and tableware, except forks, knives and spoons; combs and sponges; brushes (except paintbrushes); brush-making materials; articles for cleaning purposes; unworked or semi-worked glass (except glass used in building); glassware, porcelain and earthenware.”
Class 21 is all about non-electrical, functional household goods made of plastic, glass, ceramic, or metal used for storage, serving, cooking, or cleaning.
Scope of Trademark Class 21
Class 21 applies to a wide variety of home essentials, primarily non-electric kitchen, table, and cleaning products. It is relevant to:
- Kitchenware brands
- Plastic and stainless-steel container manufacturers
- Glass bottle, plate, or mug companies
- Housekeeping product manufacturers
- Bathroom accessory brands
- Hospitality & hotel ware suppliers
- Online home essentials D2C brands
✅ Class 21 Covers:
- Household utensils and containers (jars, bowls, pots)
- Non-electric cookware (pressure cookers, frying pans, tiffins)
- Kitchen tools (peelers, graters, spatulas)
- Glassware (mugs, tumblers, jars, bottles)
- Ceramic and porcelain dishes
- Plastic bottles and jugs
- Soap dispensers, toothbrush holders
- Cleaning tools (brooms, mops, brushes, scrubs)
- Buckets, dustbins, storage baskets
- Non-metal kitchen storage boxes
- Bathroom organizers, toiletry containers
- Lunchboxes, water bottles, dabba sets
- Vegetable baskets and fruit trays
- Combs, sponges, loofahs, scrubbers
- Tableware: plates, bowls, serving trays (non-cutlery)
Examples of Products Under Class 21
- Plastic food storage containers
- Stainless steel lunchboxes and water bottles
- Borosilicate glass jars and measuring cups
- Ceramic plates and tea sets
- Acrylic soap holders and organizers
- Steel serving trays and tiffin carriers
- Mops, floor brushes, and brooms
- Dustbins and buckets (plastic or steel)
- Kitchen spatulas, graters, slicers
- Household plastic organizers (for fridge, kitchen, wardrobes)
- Toothbrush stands and tissue dispensers
- Cooking pots and pans (non-electric)
- Non-electric milk boilers and cookers
- Hotel ware products made of glass/porcelain
- Combs, loofahs, bath brushes
Goods NOT Covered in Class 21
| Item | Correct Class |
|---|---|
| Electric kitchen appliances (toaster, kettle) | Class 11 |
| Cutlery – forks, knives, spoons | Class 8 |
| Furniture – chairs, tables | Class 20 |
| Cookware with electric elements | Class 11 |
| Plastic pipes or industrial plastic goods | Class 17 |
| Wall clocks and decorative non-function items | Class 14 or 21 |
| Lighting products and lamps | Class 11 |
| Plastic building materials | Class 19 |
Rule of Thumb: If it’s used for cleaning, storing, cooking (non-electric), or serving food, and not wearable, it belongs in Class 21.
Real-World Trademark Examples (India – Class 21)
| Brand Name | Trademarked Products |
|---|---|
| MILTON | Water bottles, tiffins, kitchenware |
| CELLO | Plastic containers, cleaning items |
| BOROSIL | Glassware and tableware |
| TUPPERWARE | Airtight food containers |
| PRESTIGE | Non-electric pressure cookers, pans |
| HAERS | Steel flasks and kitchen tools |
| CLIPPER | Mops, buckets, plastic storage |
| PIGEON | Cookware, utensils, kitchen essentials |
| VAYA | Designer tiffin boxes and water bottles |
| TREO | Glass jars and serving bowls |
Why Trademark Class 21 is Essential
Household goods are high-volume products often duplicated or imitated by smaller sellers or online vendors. Filing your trademark under Class 21 ensures:
✅ Advantages:
- Exclusive ownership of your product or brand name
- Legal basis to stop fakes and imitations in stores or online
- Brand Registry access on Amazon/Flipkart
- Enables distributor and OEM partnerships
- Protects your product identity globally
- Helps you license or franchise the brand
- Adds value during funding or valuation
Trademark Registration Process in India – Class 21
Trademark registration is uniform across classes, but correct product description in Class 21 matters greatly to avoid rejection.
✅ Step-by-Step Process:
- Trademark Search: Search the IP India portal for existing marks in Class 21.
- Prepare and File TM-A Application: Use clear terms like “glass tumblers”, “plastic food containers”, or “steel kitchenware”.
- File Online or Through an Attorney: Submit via IP India e-filing or through a trademark agent.
- Examination Stage: Registrar may raise objections under Section 9 (generic) or 11 (similar).
- Publication in Trademark Journal: The mark is open for opposition for 4 months.
- Trademark Registration Certificate: If uncontested, the mark is registered for 10 years (renewable).
Documents Required:
- PAN/Aadhaar of applicant
- Brand logo/image (for device mark)
- MSME Certificate (optional – for discounted fee)
- TM-48 (if agent is filing)
- Product catalog or link (optional but helpful)
International Protection – Madrid Protocol (Class 21)
If you’re selling on Amazon Global, Alibaba, or exporting to UAE, UK, or EU—use the Madrid Protocol to protect your Class 21 trademark worldwide.
| Jurisdiction | Trademark Class |
|---|---|
| India | Class 21 |
| USA | Class 021 |
| EU | Class 21 |
| UK | Class 21 |
| WIPO (Madrid) | Class 21 |
Common Mistakes in Class 21 Filing
- Using vague terms like “household items” instead of “kitchen utensils, bottles, lunch boxes”
- Filing electrical items here (should go in Class 11)
- Including metallic cutlery (Class 8)
- Filing furniture and storage cabinets here (Class 20)
- Ignoring online brand infringements due to lack of registry
Top Tips for Trademark Applicants in Class 21
- List every product line you deal in: “lunchboxes, steel bowls, water bottles, bathroom dispensers, mop buckets”
- Use specific terms: “glass soap dispenser”, “plastic fridge organizer”
- If you offer packaging or display trays, file under both Class 21 and Class 20
- If you plan exports or Amazon Global, apply for Madrid Protocol
- Conduct a full Class 21 search to avoid objections
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q1. Are plastic water bottles Class 21? ✅ Yes.
- Q2. What about ceramic dinnerware? ✅ Yes.
- Q3. Are mops and cleaning brushes Class 21? ✅ Yes.
- Q4. What class are electric kettles or rice cookers? ❌ Class 11.
- Q5. Is cutlery like spoons and knives Class 21? ❌ No, they go under Class 8.
- Q6. Is stainless steel cookware covered here? ✅ Yes, if it’s non-electric.
- Q7. Are food-grade plastic containers Class 21? ✅ Yes.
- Q8. What about toothbrush holders and organizers? ✅ Yes.
- Q9. Is furniture made of plastic Class 21? ❌ No, that’s Class 20.
- Q10. Is my bottle or lunchbox brand protected here? ✅ Yes, if trademarked under Class 21.
Conclusion
Trademark Class 21 is the most appropriate and powerful class for businesses dealing in household goods, kitchenware, non-electric cookware, storage containers, cleaning tools, and glass/ceramic products. Filing your trademark here gives you the legal and commercial power to scale, protect, and expand your brand.
Whether you’re a new-age D2C brand, a seasoned kitchenware supplier, or an online retailer—RegistrationMART helps you:
- Classify your product correctly
- Search and file under Class 21
- Handle objections or oppositions
- Apply for Madrid Protocol for global use
- Protect your brand across India and abroad
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