diff --git a/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/classification/operator.py b/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/classification/operator.py
index fa35886176..74c84eae21 100644
--- a/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/classification/operator.py
+++ b/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/classification/operator.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import bpy
 import json
 import ifcopenshell
 import ifcopenshell.api
+import ifcopenshell.util.classification
 import ifcopenshell.util.element
 import blenderbim.tool as tool
 import blenderbim.bim.helper
@@ -293,6 +294,7 @@ class RemoveClassificationReference(bpy.types.Operator, tool.Ifc.Operator):
         active_reference = tool.Ifc.get().by_id(self.reference)
         identification = active_reference[1]
 
+        elements_by_references: dict[ifcopenshell.entity_instance, list[ifcopenshell.entity_instance]] = []
         for obj in objects:
             ifc_definition_id = tool.Blender.get_obj_ifc_definition_id(obj, self.obj_type, context)
             element = tool.Ifc.get().by_id(ifc_definition_id)
@@ -301,12 +303,16 @@ class RemoveClassificationReference(bpy.types.Operator, tool.Ifc.Operator):
                 if (identification and reference[1] == identification) or (
                     not identification and reference == active_reference
                 ):
-                    ifcopenshell.api.run(
-                        "classification.remove_reference",
-                        tool.Ifc.get(),
-                        reference=reference,
-                        product=element,
-                    )
+                    elements_by_references.setdefault(reference, []).append(element)
+
+        if elements_by_references:
+            for reference, products in elements_by_references.items():
+                ifcopenshell.api.run(
+                    "classification.remove_reference",
+                    tool.Ifc.get(),
+                    reference=reference,
+                    products=products,
+                )
 
 
 class EditClassificationReference(bpy.types.Operator, tool.Ifc.Operator):
diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/__init__.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/__init__.py
index 7c739cf71b..d2027e06e1 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/__init__.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/__init__.py
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ ARGUMENTS_DEPRECATION = {
     "classification.add_reference": partial(
         batching_argument_deprecation, prev_argument="product", new_argument="products"
     ),
+    "classification.remove_reference": partial(
+        batching_argument_deprecation, prev_argument="product", new_argument="products"
+    ),
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/classification/remove_reference.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/classification/remove_reference.py
index b91989a1ae..d4e8d802a6 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/classification/remove_reference.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/classification/remove_reference.py
@@ -17,12 +17,18 @@
 # along with IfcOpenShell.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 import ifcopenshell
+import ifcopenshell.api
 import ifcopenshell.util.element
 
 
 class Usecase:
-    def __init__(self, file, reference=None, product=None):
-        """Removes a classification reference from a product
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        file: ifcopenshell.file,
+        reference: ifcopenshell.entity_instance,
+        products: list[ifcopenshell.entity_instance],
+    ):
+        """Removes a classification reference from the list of products
 
         If the classification reference is no longer associated to any products,
         the classification reference itself is also removed.
@@ -30,9 +36,12 @@ class Usecase:
         :param reference: The IfcClassificationReference entity of the
             relationship you want to remove.
         :type reference: ifcopenshell.entity_instance.entity_instance
-        :param product: The object entity of the relationship you want to
+        :param product: The list fo object entities of the relationship you want to
             remove.
-        :type reference: ifcopenshell.entity_instance.entity_instance
+        :type product: list[ifcopenshell.entity_instance.entity_instance]
+
+        :raises TypeError: If file is IFC2X3 and `products` has non-IfcRoot elements.
+
         :return: None
         :rtype: None
 
@@ -47,39 +56,72 @@ class Usecase:
                 products=[wall_type], classification=classification,
                 identification="W_01", name="Interior Walls")
             ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.remove_reference", model,
-                reference=reference, product=wall_type)
+                reference=reference, products=[wall_type])
         """
         self.file = file
-        self.settings = {"reference": reference, "product": product}
+        self.settings = {"reference": reference, "products": products}
 
-    def execute(self):
-        if self.settings["product"].is_a("IfcRoot"):
-            for rel in self.file.by_type("IfcRelAssociatesClassification"):
-                if rel.RelatingClassification == self.settings["reference"] and rel.RelatedObjects:
-                    if self.settings["product"] in rel.RelatedObjects:
-                        related_objects = list(rel.RelatedObjects)
-                        related_objects.remove(self.settings["product"])
-                        if len(related_objects):
-                            rel.RelatedObjects = related_objects
-                        else:
-                            history = rel.OwnerHistory
-                            self.file.remove(rel)
-                            if history:
-                                ifcopenshell.util.element.remove_deep2(self.file, history)
-        else:
-            for rel in self.file.by_type("IfcExternalReferenceRelationship"):
-                if rel.RelatingReference == self.settings["reference"] and rel.RelatedResourceObjects:
-                    if self.settings["product"] in rel.RelatedResourceObjects:
-                        related_objects = list(rel.RelatedResourceObjects)
-                        related_objects.remove(self.settings["product"])
-                        if len(related_objects):
-                            rel.RelatedResourceObjects = related_objects
-                        else:
-                            self.file.remove(rel)
+    def execute(self) -> None:
+        is_ifc2x3 = self.file.schema == "IFC2X3"
+        products = set(self.settings["products"])
+        referenced = ifcopenshell.util.element.get_referenced_elements(self.settings["reference"])
+        products -= products.difference(referenced)
+
+        # all products are already unassigned from a reference
+        if not products:
+            return
+
+        rooted_products: set[ifcopenshell.entity_instance] = set()
+        non_rooted_products: set[ifcopenshell.entity_instance] = set()
+        for product in self.settings["products"]:
+            if product.is_a("IfcRoot"):
+                rooted_products.add(product)
+            else:
+                non_rooted_products.add(product)
+
+        if non_rooted_products and is_ifc2x3:
+            raise TypeError(f"Cannot add reference to non-IfcRoot element in IFC2X3: {non_rooted_products}.")
+
+        if rooted_products:
+            reference_rels: set[ifcopenshell.entity_instance] = set()
+            for product in rooted_products:
+                reference_rels.update(product.HasAssociations)
+
+            reference_rels = {
+                rel
+                for rel in reference_rels
+                if rel.is_a("IfcRelAssociatesClassification")
+                and rel.RelatingClassification == self.settings["reference"]
+            }
+
+            for rel in reference_rels:
+                related_objects = set(rel.RelatedObjects) - rooted_products
+                if related_objects:
+                    rel.RelatedObjects = list(related_objects)
+                    ifcopenshell.api.run("owner.update_owner_history", self.file, **{"element": rel})
+                else:
+                    history = rel.OwnerHistory
+                    self.file.remove(rel)
+                    if history:
+                        ifcopenshell.util.element.remove_deep2(self.file, history)
+
+        if non_rooted_products:
+            reference_rels: set[ifcopenshell.entity_instance] = set()
+            for product in non_rooted_products:
+                rels = getattr(product, "HasExternalReferences", None)
+                if rels is None:
+                    rels = getattr(product, "HasExternalReference", [])
+                reference_rels.update(rels)
+
+            reference_rels = {rel for rel in reference_rels if rel.RelatingReference == self.settings["reference"]}
+            for rel in reference_rels:
+                related_objects = set(rel.RelatedResourceObjects) - non_rooted_products
+                if related_objects:
+                    rel.RelatedResourceObjects = list(related_objects)
+                else:
+                    self.file.remove(rel)
 
         # TODO: we only handle lightweight classifications here
-        if (
-            not self.settings["reference"].ClassificationRefForObjects
-            and not self.settings["reference"].ExternalReferenceForResources
-        ):
+        referenced_elements = ifcopenshell.util.element.get_referenced_elements(self.settings["reference"])
+        if not referenced_elements:
             self.file.remove(self.settings["reference"])
diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/api/classification/test_remove_reference.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/api/classification/test_remove_reference.py
index 63ae287aa3..8e03fdef4f 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/api/classification/test_remove_reference.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/api/classification/test_remove_reference.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
 # along with IfcOpenShell.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+import pytest
 import test.bootstrap
 import ifcopenshell.api
 import ifcopenshell.util.classification
@@ -25,58 +26,80 @@ class TestRemoveReference(test.bootstrap.IFC4):
     def test_removing_a_reference(self):
         ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcProject")
         element = ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcWall")
+        element2 = ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcWall")
         result = ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.add_classification", self.file, classification="Name")
         reference = ifcopenshell.api.run(
             "classification.add_reference",
             self.file,
-            products=[element],
+            products=[element, element2],
             identification="X",
             name="Foobar",
             classification=result,
         )
-        ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.remove_reference", self.file, product=element, reference=reference)
+        ifcopenshell.api.run(
+            "classification.remove_reference", self.file, products=[element, element2], reference=reference
+        )
         assert len(ifcopenshell.util.classification.get_references(element)) == 0
+        assert len(ifcopenshell.util.classification.get_references(element2)) == 0
         assert len(self.file.by_type("IfcClassificationReference")) == 0
 
-    def test_removing_a_reference_from_a_resource(self):
+    def test_removing_a_reference_from_a_resource_and_from_a_root(self):
         ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcProject")
         element = self.file.createIfcMaterial()
+        element2 = self.file.createIfcCostValue()
+        element3 = ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcWall")
         result = ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.add_classification", self.file, classification="Name")
-        reference = ifcopenshell.api.run(
-            "classification.add_reference",
-            self.file,
-            products=[element],
-            identification="X",
-            name="Foobar",
-            classification=result,
+        if self.file.schema == "IFC2X3":
+            with pytest.raises(TypeError):
+                reference = ifcopenshell.api.run(
+                    "classification.add_reference",
+                    self.file,
+                    products=[element, element2, element3],
+                    identification="X",
+                    name="Foobar",
+                    classification=result,
+                )
+            return
+        else:
+            reference = ifcopenshell.api.run(
+                "classification.add_reference",
+                self.file,
+                products=[element, element2, element3],
+                identification="X",
+                name="Foobar",
+                classification=result,
+            )
+
+        ifcopenshell.api.run(
+            "classification.remove_reference", self.file, products=[element, element2, element3], reference=reference
         )
-        ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.remove_reference", self.file, product=element, reference=reference)
         assert len(ifcopenshell.util.classification.get_references(element)) == 0
+        assert len(ifcopenshell.util.classification.get_references(element2)) == 0
+        assert len(ifcopenshell.util.classification.get_references(element3)) == 0
         assert len(self.file.by_type("IfcClassificationReference")) == 0
 
     def test_retaining_the_reference_if_still_in_use(self):
         ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcProject")
-        element = self.file.createIfcMaterial()
-        element2 = self.file.createIfcMaterial()
+        element = ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcWall")
+        element2 = ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcWall")
+        element3 = ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcWall")
         result = ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.add_classification", self.file, classification="Name")
         reference = ifcopenshell.api.run(
             "classification.add_reference",
             self.file,
-            products=[element],
-            identification="X",
-            name="Foobar",
-            classification=result,
-        )
-        reference2 = ifcopenshell.api.run(
-            "classification.add_reference",
-            self.file,
-            products=[element2],
+            products=[element, element2, element3],
             identification="X",
             name="Foobar",
             classification=result,
         )
         assert len(self.file.by_type("IfcClassificationReference")) == 1
-        ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.remove_reference", self.file, product=element, reference=reference)
+        ifcopenshell.api.run(
+            "classification.remove_reference", self.file, products=[element, element2], reference=reference
+        )
         assert len(self.file.by_type("IfcClassificationReference")) == 1
-        ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.remove_reference", self.file, product=element2, reference=reference2)
+        ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.remove_reference", self.file, products=[element3], reference=reference)
         assert len(self.file.by_type("IfcClassificationReference")) == 0
+
+
+class TestRemoveReferenceIFC2X3(test.bootstrap.IFC2X3, TestRemoveReference):
+    pass
diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/api/test_api.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/api/test_api.py
index 7910cf9739..0156bfa6ad 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/api/test_api.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/api/test_api.py
@@ -219,3 +219,20 @@ class TestTemporarySupportForDeprecatedAPIArguments(test.bootstrap.IFC4):
         assert list(ifcopenshell.util.classification.get_references(element2))[0].Identification == "X"
         assert list(ifcopenshell.util.classification.get_references(element2))[0].Name == "Foobar"
         assert list(ifcopenshell.util.classification.get_references(element2))[0] == references[0]
+
+    @deprecation_check
+    def test_removing_a_reference(self):
+        ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcProject")
+        element = ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcWall")
+        result = ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.add_classification", self.file, classification="Name")
+        reference = ifcopenshell.api.run(
+            "classification.add_reference",
+            self.file,
+            products=[element],
+            identification="X",
+            name="Foobar",
+            classification=result,
+        )
+        ifcopenshell.api.run("classification.remove_reference", self.file, product=element, reference=reference)
+        assert len(ifcopenshell.util.classification.get_references(element)) == 0
+        assert len(self.file.by_type("IfcClassificationReference")) == 0