A61Q SPECIFIC USE OF COSMETICS OR SIMILAR TOILETRY PREPARATIONS
Introduced: January 2006
Classification Context
- Section:
- HUMAN NECESSITIES
- Class:
- MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- Subclass:
- SPECIFIC USE OF COSMETICS OR SIMILAR TOILETRY PREPARATIONS
Description
A61Q covers cosmetic and toiletry preparations classified by their specific intended use or body area of application, rather than by chemical composition or manufacturing process. This subclass encompasses products such as skin care preparations, hair treatments, oral hygiene products, deodorants, and specialized formulations for conditions like acne or anti-aging. Classifications within A61Q are organized by application (e.g., A61Q1 for skin care, A61Q5 for hair care), enabling clear categorization of cosmetic products based on their functional purpose. This subclass excludes chemical composition details covered by broader A61K classes and does not cover medical drugs or pharmaceutical preparations intended for therapeutic treatment.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass A61Q recorded 221,780 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 15,436 in 2013 to 16,980 in 2023 (+10%), peaking at 24,621 applications in 2017. The most active applicants in class A61 are PHILIPS ELECTRONICS (18,523 applications), NOVARTIS (14,253 applications) and COVIDIEN (13,953 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
A61Q ranks 8th of 13 subclasses with filings in A61, with 221,780 applications between 2013 and 2023, 3.3% of the class. Annual filings grew 10% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+32%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A61K, Preparations for Medical, Dental or Toiletry Purposes | Preparations for Medical, Dental or Toiletry Purposes | 1,792,627 | 26.5% |
| 2 | A61B, Diagnosis; Surgery; Identification | Diagnosis; Surgery; Identification | 1,204,106 | 17.8% |
| 3 | A61P, Specific Therapeutic Activity of Chemical Compounds or Medicinal Preparations | Specific Therapeutic Activity of Chemical Compounds or Medicinal Preparations | 1,178,026 | 17.4% |
| 4 | A61M, Devices for Introducing Media Into, or Onto, the Body; Devices for Transducing Body Media or for Taking Media From the Body; Devices for Producing or Ending Sleep or Stupor | Devices for Introducing Media Into, or Onto, the Body; Devices for Transducing Body Media or for Taking Media From the Body; Devices for Producing or Ending Sleep or Stupor | 625,206 | 9.2% |
| 5 | A61F, Filters Implantable Into Blood Vessels; Prostheses; Devices Providing Patency To, or Preventing Collapsing Of, Tubular Structures of the Body, e.g. Stents; Orthopaedic, Nursing or Contraceptive Devices; Fomentation; Treatment or Protection of Eyes or Ears; Bandages, Dressings or Absorbent Pads; First-Aid Kits | Filters Implantable Into Blood Vessels; Prostheses; Devices Providing Patency To, or Preventing Collapsing Of, Tubular Structures of the Body, e.g. Stents; Orthopaedic, Nursing or Contraceptive Devices; Fomentation; Treatment or Protection of Eyes or Ears; Bandages, Dressings or Absorbent Pads; First-Aid Kits | 447,357 | 6.6% |
| 6 | A61L, Methods or Apparatus for Sterilising Materials or Objects in General; Disinfection, Sterilisation or Deodorisation of Air; Chemical Aspects of Bandages, Dressings, Absorbent Pads or Surgical Articles; Materials for Bandages, Dressings, Absorbent Pads or Surgical Articles | Methods or Apparatus for Sterilising Materials or Objects in General; Disinfection, Sterilisation or Deodorisation of Air; Chemical Aspects of Bandages, Dressings, Absorbent Pads or Surgical Articles; Materials for Bandages, Dressings, Absorbent Pads or Surgical Articles | 373,304 | 5.5% |
| 7 | A61H, Physical Therapy Apparatus, e.g. Devices for Locating or Stimulating Reflex Points in the Body; Artificial Respiration; Massage; Bathing Devices for Special Therapeutic or Hygienic Purposes or Specific Parts of the Body | Physical Therapy Apparatus, e.g. Devices for Locating or Stimulating Reflex Points in the Body; Artificial Respiration; Massage; Bathing Devices for Special Therapeutic or Hygienic Purposes or Specific Parts of the Body | 247,277 | 3.7% |
| 8 | A61Q | Specific Use of Cosmetics or Similar Toiletry Preparations | 221,780 | 3.3% |
| 9 | A61G, Transport, Personal Conveyances or Accommodation Specially Adapted for Patients or Disabled Persons; Operating Tables or Chairs; Chairs for Dentistry; Funeral Devices | Transport, Personal Conveyances or Accommodation Specially Adapted for Patients or Disabled Persons; Operating Tables or Chairs; Chairs for Dentistry; Funeral Devices | 221,545 | 3.3% |
| 10 | A61N, Electrotherapy; Magnetotherapy; Radiation Therapy; Ultrasound Therapy | Electrotherapy; Magnetotherapy; Radiation Therapy; Ultrasound Therapy | 197,020 | 2.9% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Additional Content
Glossary
Cosmetics or similar toilet preparations include compositions or preparations for the skin, hair, nails, teeth or oral cavity which are used to clean them, change their appearance, correct body odours, and protect or keep them in good condition.
Limiting references
Deodorisation of air Drugs for dermatological disorders Essential oils or perfumes per se
Related Keywords
11 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- A61Q 1/00 Make-up preparations; Body powders; Preparations for removing make-up
- A61Q 11/00 Preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures, e.g. dentifrices or toothpastes; Mouth rinses
- A61Q 13/00 Formulations or additives for perfume preparations
- A61Q 15/00 Anti-perspirants or body deodorants
- A61Q 17/00 Barrier preparations; Preparations brought into direct contact with the skin for affording protection against external influences, e.g. sunlight, X-rays or other harmful rays, corrosive materials, bacteria or insect stings
- A61Q 19/00 Preparations for care of the skin
- A61Q 3/00 Manicure or pedicure preparations
- A61Q 5/00 Preparations for care of the hair
- A61Q 7/00 Preparations for affecting hair growth
- A61Q 9/00 Preparations for removing hair or for aiding hair removal
- A61Q 90/00 Cosmetics or similar toiletry preparations for specific uses not provided for in other groups of this subclass
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class A61, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NL 18,523
- NOVARTIS CH 14,253
- COVIDIEN US 13,953
- ROCHE CH 12,005
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 11,955
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA US 11,692
- HARVARD UNIVERSITY US 11,596
- L'OREAL FR 11,593
- P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 11,297
- OLYMPUS CORPORATION JP 9,594