The Kingdom of Bahrain has enacted Law No. (21) of 2026, formalizing the country’s accession to the Locarno Agreement, the treaty establishing the international classification system for industrial designs.
The law was published in Official Gazette Issue No. 3885 on Monday, 25 May 2026, and, pursuant to Article 2, entered into force on the day following publication — making Tuesday, 26 May 2026, the formal, legally binding effective date of Bahrain’s accession.
The core substantive effect of the law is Bahrain’s adoption of the 15th Edition of the Locarno Classification, giving industrial design rights holders a standardized, internationally recognized baseline for defining and defending design assets before Bahraini judicial authorities.
Quick Facts
| Enacting Law | Law No. (21) of 2026 |
| Treaty | Locarno Agreement (International Classification for Industrial Designs) |
| Gazette Publication | Official Gazette Issue No. 3885, Monday, 25 May 2026 |
| Effective Date | Tuesday, 26 May 2026 (day following publication, per Article 2) |
| Classification Adopted | 15th Edition of the Locarno Classification |
| Key Effect | Standardized international classification baseline for industrial design rights in Bahrain |
What is the Locarno Agreement and why does it matter?
The Locarno Agreement establishes a shared international classification system for industrial designs, used by IP offices worldwide to organize design applications by product category. Common classification makes it easier to search prior designs, assess novelty, and coordinate design filing strategy across multiple jurisdictions using a consistent framework.
When did Bahrain’s accession take effect?
Bahrain’s accession is formalized through Law No. (21) of 2026, published in Official Gazette Issue No. 3885 on 25 May 2026. Under Article 2 of the law, it entered into force the day after publication, making 26 May 2026 the legally binding effective date.
What does this mean for industrial design rights holders in Bahrain?
With the 15th Edition of the Locarno Classification now adopted, several practical implications follow:
• Industrial design filings in Bahrain will be organized under the same classification edition used across other Locarno Agreement member states, supporting more consistent multi-jurisdictional filing strategies.
• Rights holders enforcing or litigating design rights domestically gain a standardized classification baseline to help define and defend the scope of protection before Bahraini courts.
• Portfolio managers should confirm how existing Bahraini design registrations map to the 15th Edition classification, particularly for assets filed prior to the 26 May 2026 effective date.
Need assistance protecting your industrial designs in Bahrain?
Contact Legacy Partners for expert guidance on design registration, portfolio management, and international IP protection. info@legacypartners.global
