First International standard on bamboo and bamboo products
Bamboo and rattan are widely distributed across tropical and subtropical areas around the globe. These are often developing countries, where raising bamboo and rattan has a positive effect on the land itself and on the population, creating local employment opportunities and improving poor soil characteristics. Bamboo and rattan constitute an alternative to other materials that are not renewable or less sustainable, as plastics, metals and fossil fuels. As such, bamboo and rattan contribute achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals such as poverty elimination, supply of affordable and clean energy, construction of sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production.
The ISO technical committee on bamboo and rattan, ISO/TC 296, was established in 2015 and held its kick-off meeting in April 2016. Despite its young age, an International standard has just been published.
ISO 21625 "Vocabulary related to bamboo and bamboo products" was published in July 2020: it contains internationally recognized terms and definitions for bamboo and bamboo products, for use and general understanding by consumers, industry, researchers, etc. This standard will help stakeholders in all fields using bamboo, facilitating trade, research and mutual understanding: the use of bamboo is constantly expanding, including food industry, furniture, construction, textiles, cosmetics, water purification, handicraft, kitchenware, interior design.
The terms and definitions in ISO 21625 may be consulted on ISO on-line browsing platform. The standard can be purchased by iso.org or by any ISO member.
ISO/TC 296 is working to develop other standards relating to bamboo and rattan: WD 23067, dealing with grading system for rattan, and WD 21629-2, dealing with bamboo floorings for outdoor use, are still under discussion in the group of experts, while other drafts have already been circulated for enquiry and are therefore considered publicly available documents. Should you wish to consult them, please ask the ISO member in your country. These are:
- series DIS 21626, on bamboo charcoal;
- DIS 21629-1, on bamboo floorings for indoor use;
- DIS 23066, a vocabulary for rattan and rattan products
TC 296 is constantly updating a web site, with information on their projects and their meetings.
Participation to TC 296 is welcome by experts coming from developing countries, where most of bamboo and rattan grows, as well by experts coming from developed countries as these represent the major users of bamboo and rattan products, and often host research institutes studying these materials and products. Participation to ISO works is through the ISO national standards body in your country.
(Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bamboo-talks-international-iso-21625-anna-caterina-rossi/?trackingId=EHHp33jzSSGwXsOlt2O1PQ%3D%3D)