PROPOSAL FOR A NEW FIELD OF TECHNICAL ACTIVITY
Circulation date: 2015-01-22
Closing date for voting: 2015-04-22
Proposer

SAC

Reference number(to be given by Central Secretariat)

ISO/TS/P 248

A proposal for a new field of technical activity shall be submitted to the Central Secretariat, which will assign it a reference
number and process the proposal in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives (part 1, subclause 1.5). The proposer may be amember body of ISO, a technical committee or subcommittee, the Technical Management Board or a General Assemblycommittee, the Secretary-General, a body responsible for managing a certification system operating under the auspices of ISO,or another international organization with national body membership. Guidelines for proposing and justifying a new field oftechnical activity are given in the ISO/IEC Directives (part 1, Annex C).
The proposal (to be completed by the proposer)
Title of the proposed new committee (The title shall indicate clearly yet concisely the new field of technicalactivity which the proposal is intended to cover.)Bamboo and Rattan
Scope statement of the proposed new committee (The scope shall precisely define the limits of the field ofactivity. Scopes shall not repeat general aims and principles governing the work of the organization but shallindicate the specific area concerned.)Standardization of bamboo, rattan, and derived materials, including terminology, classification, specifications, test methods
and quality requirements.

Proposed initial programme of work (The proposed programme of work shall correspond to and clearly reflect
the aims of the standardization activities and shall, therefore, show the relationship between the subject
proposed. Each item on the programme of work shall be defined by both the subject aspect(s) to be standardized(for products, for example, the items would be the types of products, characteristics, other requirements, data to
be supplied, test methods, etc.). Supplementary justification may be combined with particular items in the
programme of work. The proposed programme of work shall also suggest priorities and target dates.

Formulation and revision of international standards in the fields of bamboo and rattan will be launched covering three levels.
At Level A, the new TC will focus on basic standards covering terminology and classification of bamboo, rattan and related
products. Level B will cover standards related to methods, including test methods of physical and mechanical properties ofbamboo strip, bamboo charcoal, and rattan. Level C will cover standards on products, including major processed products ofbamboo and rattan. Level A and B form the basis for formulating bamboo and rattan product standards, while level C is for
product applications.
1. Basic standards of bamboo and rattan- Terminology on bamboo products- Terminology on rattan
2. Standards on methods of bamboo and rattan- Test methods of physical and mechanical properties of bamboo strip- Test methods of physical and mechanical properties of bamboo charcoal- Test methods of physical and mechanical properties of rattan
3. Standards on products of bamboo and rattan- Bamboo mat plywood- Bamboo flooring- Bamboo charcoal- Bamboo mat- Rattan woven products
Formulation and revision of standards will start with basic standards and standards on methods since these form the foundations
for product standards. It is most urgent to formulate standards on products for trade on bamboo and rattan. The new TC plans
to propose three international standards in three years.

FORM 1 (ISO)Version/V2012

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Indication(s) of the preferred type or types of deliverable(s) to be produced under the proposal (This may be
combined with the "Proposed initial programme of work" if more convenient.)

1. Terminology for bamboo and related products
2. Rattan terminology
3. Test methods on physical and mechanical properties of bamboo strips
A listing of relevant existing documents at the international, regional and national levels. (Any known relevant
document (such as standards and regulations) shall be listed, regardless of their source and should beaccompanied by an indication of their significance.)

Standards relevant with terms and definitions of bamboo and rattan are:
1. China national standard: GB/T 26914-2011 Rattan terminology
2. Chinese industrial standard: LY/T 1660-2006 Terminology on bamboo plywood
Standards relevant with test methods of bamboo and rattan are:
1. China national standard: GB/T 15780-1995 Testing methods for physical and mechanical properties of bamboo
2. Chinese industrial standard: LY/T 2139-2013 Testing methods for physical properties of rattan
3. International standard: Bamboo--Structural design, ISO 22156: 2004, International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
4. International standard: Bamboo--Determination of physical and mechanical properties -- Part 1: Requirements, ISO 22157-1:
2004, International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
5. International standard: Bamboo--Determination of physical and mechanical properties -- Part 2: Laboratory manual, ISO
22157-2: 2004, International Organization for Standardization (ISO)Standards relevant with bamboo and rattan products are:
1. China national standard: GB/T 13123-2003 Bamboo plywood
2. China national standard: GB/T 20240-2006 Bamboo flooring
3. China national standard: GB/T 23114-2008 Plaited bamboo products
4. China national standard: GB/T 26913-2011 Bamboo charcoal
5. China national standard: GB/T 23172-2008 Plaited rattan products
6. National standard of the Philippines: 1976 No.821-09.03 Philippine standard specifications for rattan and wicker furniture;
7. National standard of the Philippines: 1989 No.103 Specification for rattan poles and their by-products;
8. Indian standard: IS 13958: 1994 Bamboo mat board for general purposes-specification;
9. Indian standard:IS 6874: 2008 Method of Tests for Bamboo
10.Indian standard:IS 7344: 1974 Specification for Bamboo Tent Poles
11.Indian standard:IS 8242: 1976 Methods of Tests for Split Bamboos
12.Indian standard:IS 9096: 2006 Preservation of bamboo for Structural Purposes – Code of Practice
13.Indian standard:IS 13958: 1994 Specification for bamboo mat board for general purposes
14.Indian standard:IS 14588: 1999 Specification for bamboo mat veneer composites for general purposes
15.Indian standard:IS-15476: 2004 Bamboo mat corrugated sheets – Specification
16.Indian standard:IS 1902: 2006 Code of Practice for preservation of bamboo and cane for non-structural purposes
17. Indonesian national standard: 1979 SNI01-7254-2006 Rattan
18. Jamaica standard:JS ISO 22156 Bamboo — Structural design
19. Jamaica standard:JS ISO 22157-1 Bamboo — Determination of physical and mechanical properties — Part 1:
Requirements
20.Jamaica standard:JS ISO/TR 22157-2 Bamboo — Determination of physical and mechanical properties — Part 2:
Laboratory manual
21.Ethiopia standard:ES ISO 22156:2014 Bamboo— Structural design
22.Ethiopia standard:ES ISO 22157-1:2014 Bamboo —Determination of physical and mechanical properties —Part 1:
Requirements
23.Ethiopia standard:ES ISO/TR 22157-2:2014 Bamboo —De termination of physical and mechanical properties — Part 2:
Laboratory manual.
.

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A statement from the proposer as to how the proposed work may relate to or impact on existing work, especiallyexisting ISO and IEC deliverables. (The proposer should explain how the work differs from apparently similar work,
or explain how duplication and conflict will be minimized. If seemingly similar or related work is already in thescope of other committees of the organization or in other organizations, the proposed scope shall distinguishbetween the proposed work and the other work. The proposer shall indicate whether his or her proposal could be
dealt with by widening the scope of an existing committee or by establishing a new committee.)

Currently there is no technical committee of standardization (TC or PC) directly related to bamboo and rattan in ISO andIEC. The proposed Technical Committee of Bamboo and Rattan (TC-BR) would be responsible for standardization of bamboo,
rattan, and derived materials, including formulating standards in terminology, classification, specifications, test methods andquality requirements. ISO TC 165 (Timber structures) has issued three standards for round bamboo used in bamboo buildings
in 2004. TC165 only involves standards relevant with timber structures, excluding standards in terminology, test methods for
major-traded non-structural products of bamboo & rattan; thus the scope of TC165 does not overlap with that of the newly
established TC-BR. The purpose of TC-BR is to offer standards on terminology, methods and major products of bamboo andrattan via a systematic and holistic perspective of the status-quo of research and development, processing and trade of global
bamboo and rattan products. This will provide valuable guidance to stakeholders in the fields of bamboo and rattan.
Taking into account the relevance of new TC’s standards and likely linkages, it is expected that the new TC will probably
establish cooperation and liaison with TC165, 218, 219, as well as international organizations, such as International Network
for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).
ISO/TC 165 is responsible for standards on timber structures. TC 165's scope covers "standardization concerning structural
applications of timber, wood-based panels, other wood based products, and related lignocellulosic fibrous materials including:requirements for design; structural properties, performance, and design values of materials, products, components, andassemblies and; test methods and requirements to establish related structural, mechanical and physical properties andperformance". TC165 host a working group 12 on structural uses of bamboo and already manages three standards concerning
bamboo: Bamboo -- Determination of physical and mechanical properties -- Part 1: Requirements, ISO 22157-1: 2004,
Bamboo -- Determination of physical and mechanical properties -- Part 2: Laboratory manual, ISO 22157-2: 2004, which only
issues requirements on testing of physical and mechanical properties of round bamboo materials. Bamboo -- Structural design,
ISO 22156: 2004 only regulates on architectural design of round bamboo housing.Therefore, ISO 22157 and ISO 22156 in TC
165 only dealt with the properties and utilization of round bamboo (bamboo culms), very useful but limited to timber structurewith round bamboo. "The test methods for physical and mechanical properties of bamboo strips” covered in the proposed TCBR uses regular strips cut from bamboo culms as testing samples, which test properties of bamboo materials itself. The testing
results are important for nearly all the application fields of bamboo. The proposed TC-BR will not include round bamboo
covered under the scope of TC 165.
Bamboo and rattan belongs to Gramineae and Palmae respectively while wood belongs to other families. They are totallydifferent in terms of plant taxonomy. Bamboo and rattan are strikingly different from wood in many ways, such as
microstructure, properties and processing approaches during utilization.
The scope of TC218 is the standardization of round, sawn and processed timber, and timber materials in and for use in all
applications, including terminology, specifications and test methods. Therefore, there is no overlap with this proposed TC-BR.
The scope of TC219 is the standardization in the field of textile, resilient and laminate floor coverings which excludes: wood(of course also solid bamboo), ceramic, terrazzo, concrete and raised access type floorings. Presently, TC 219 covers laminatedfloorings that are produced with high-density fiberboard (HDF) as substrates and melamine resin saturated paper as overlays.
Therefore, laminated floorings have no texture and color of natural solid wood. HDF is a kind of composite reconstructed withwood pulping fibers. The bamboo floorings covered in the proposed TC-BR are produced with solid bamboo. No melamine
resin saturated paper overlays and fiber composite substrates are used. Therefore, bamboo floorings are totally different fromthose of laminated floorings both in structure, performances and manufacturing process, furthermore remaining the texture andcolor of natural bamboo. Presently, no bamboo floorings related standards can be found in TC219.
The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) is the only global inter-governmental international organization
engaged in bamboo and rattan cooperation. Its 40 member states are all producing countries of bamboo and rattan, with the
exception of Canada. The newly established TC-BR will maintain close ties with INBAR, which is already a liaisonorganisation to ISO TC 165, as well as the convenor of working group 12 on structural uses of bamboo within TC 165.
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) is an intergovernmental organization promoting the conservation andsustainable management, use and trade of tropical forest resources. Its members represent about 80% of the world’s tropicalforests and 90% of the global tropical timber trade. Widely distributed in the tropics, bamboo and rattan resources are theobjects of ITTO-funded projects. The execution of projects related with bamboo and rattan involves bamboo and rattan
standards. The newly established TC-BR will maintain ties with ITTO when drafting international standards.

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A listing of relevant countries where the subject of the proposal is important to their national commercial
interests.

There are over 50 bamboo and rattan producer countries, including China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil,
Ecuador, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana. Main consumer markets for bamboo and rattan include the European Union, the UnitedStates, Canada, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

A listing of relevant external international organizations or internal parties (other ISO and/or IEC committees) to
be engaged as liaisons in the development of the deliverable(s). (In order to avoid conflict with, or duplicationof efforts of, other bodies, it is important to indicate all points of possible conflict or overlap. The result of any
communication with other interested bodies shall also be included.)

TC165 Timber structures
TC218 Timber
TC219 Floor coverings
INBAR
ITTO

A simple and concise statement identifying and describing relevant affected stakeholder categories (including
small and medium sized enterprises) and how they will each benefit from or be impacted by the proposeddeliverable(s).

Stakeholders of bamboo and rattan refer to producers, consumers, distributors, government agencies, and third-party agencies
that will be affected or may be affected by implementation of bamboo and rattan standards. International standards of bamboo
and rattan will bring the following benefits and impacts to the above stakeholders: consumers will gain access to bamboo andrattan products with reliable quality and security, thus conserving the ecological environment and ensuring rational use ofresources; the interests of consumers will also be safeguarded. For producers, international standards will help them to improvetheir management capacity, as well as stabilize and improve product quality. This promotes producers to take a quality-oriented
mindset to enhance quality and improve competitiveness. For distributors, international standards will enhance mutualcommunication and understanding across borders, facilitate trade, provide market access for bamboo and rattan products, andpromote free and fair trade. For third-party organizations, it will offer tools of scientific evaluation to establish a standardized
evaluation scale to expand the size of the market, resulting in tremendous business value.
An expression of commitment from the proposer to provide

China is willing to undertake the work of secretariat of new TC.

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the committee secretariat if the proposal succeeds.

Purpose and justification for the proposal. (The purpose and justification of the standard to be prepared shall bemade clear and the need for standardization of each aspect (such as characteristics) to be included in the standard
shall be justified. Clause C.4.12.1 through C.4.12.10 of Annex C of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 contain a menu ofsuggestions or ideas for possible documentation to support and purpose and justification of proposals. Proposers
should consider these suggestions, but they are not limited to them, nor are they required to comply strictly withthem. What is most important is that proposers develop and provide purpose and justification information that ismost relevant to their proposals and that makes a substantial business case for the market relevance and the needfor their proposals. Thorough, well-developed and robust purpose and justification documentation will lead tomore informed consideration of proposals and ultimately their possible success in the ISO IEC system.)Due to bamboo and rattan’s numerous advantageous characteristics, which include their green, biodegradable andrenewable nature, fast growth, early maturation, high yields, and diverse array of end uses, these two resources are among theworld’s most important sources of non-timber forest products as measured by international trade volumes. There are nearly
10,000 types of products made from bamboo and rattan, covering applications in furniture, construction, decoration,
papermaking, chemicals, textiles, food, health, agriculture, and electronics, to name but a few. Currently, there are more than
50 bamboo and rattan producer countries, based in the Americas, Africa and Asia, with the European Union (EU), the UnitedStates (US), Canada, Japan, and the Republic of Korea being the major import markets. The global trade volume of bamboo
and rattan products already amounts to $5 billion USD, with an estimated 1.5 billion people dependent on these resources for atleast part of their livelihoods. However, lack of unified standards is already hindering the development of international trade forbamboo and rattan products.
Widely distributed in developing countries and regions, bamboo and rattan resources play a vital role in the mitigation anderadication of poverty, as well as promoting environmental and social sustainability. International standardization of bamboo
and rattan will greatly facilitate the efficient use of these resources, thus reducing pressure on limited timber resources in thetropics and sub-tropics and contributing to global forest resource conservation and climate change mitigation.
In recent years, some bamboo and rattan producer countries countries and regions have started to develop their own national
and industry standards based on the local status-quo: For example, China has formulated 28 national standards and 82
industrial standards relevant to bamboo and rattan, while countries, such as Ethiopia, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, andColombia has developed their own standards on bamboo/rattan and, or adopted existing ISO standards; However, most current
national and industry standards cannot be applied worldwide, which is incompatible with the flourishing international trade ofbamboo and rattan products. Thus, it is imperative to establish global standards on design specifications, technical conditions,processing planning, product standards, and test methods to ensure product quality and promote healthy growth of the industry.
International standards of bamboo and rattan will promote the efficient use of bamboo and rattan resources in the world, as wellas help support economic growth and meet peoples' livelihoods needs. From a global perspective, the limited quantity andnarrow scope of international standards of bamboo and rattan products are far from enough to cover the diverse categories ofbamboo, rattan and derived products available on the market today. This is also incompatible with robust and growing trends incurrent bamboo and rattan industries and international trade, which has already been recognised by the World Customs
Organization, where 24 new Harmonized System (HS) codes have been added for bamboo and rattan products respectively in2007 and 2014,.
Therefore, we recommend ISO to establish a specialized Technical Committee for Bamboo and Rattan (TC-BR), responsible
for the standardization of bamboo, rattan and derived products, including terminology, classification, specifications, test
methods and quality requirements.
After the establishment, the new TC will focus on working with widely accepted and used standards for bamboo and rattan at
the regional, national and sub-national level to formulate international standards. Firstly, a comprehensive summary of basic
nomenclature used in bamboo and rattan-based fields will be developed to create international standards on bamboo and rattan
terminology. This will help to prevent mislabeling of products and incorrect usage of terminology, already a significant
challenge for bamboo and rattan industries. Secondly, the committee will review test methods and requirements for bamboo
and rattan-based fields to improve and integrate general methods in various fields and, thus, provide practical test methods for
all types of organizations. Thirdly, by combing the status quo of global bamboo and rattan industries with commonly accepted
practices of trade, the new TC will propose international standards for major internationally traded bamboo and rattan products.
This will provide guidance to global enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones in developing countries, to increase
trade of bamboo and rattan products and boost their value and competitiveness, as well as facilitate global trade.
The main purposes of the new TC are as follows:(1) To share the best research outcomes and practical experiences in R&D, processing, trade and management in the fields ofbamboo and rattan;(2) To enhance bamboo and rattan product value, effectivenees, and market competitiveness;(3) To provide consumption guidance to consumers and other stakeholders;(4) To facilitate international trade.
Signature of the proposer

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LI YubingFurther information to assist with understanding the requirements for the items above can be found in the Directives, Part 1,
Annex C.
Comments of the Secretary-General (to be completed by the Central Secretariat)

Signature

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