The new work item proposal details the duties of the proposed Technical Committee of Bamboo and Rattan, which would be responsible for standardization of bamboo, rattan, and derived materials, including formulating standards in terminology, classification, specifications, test methods and quality requirements. According to the proposal, the formulation and revision of international standards in the fields of bamboo and rattan would cover three levels:
Level A 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 of bamboo strip, bamboo charcoal, and rattan.
Level C will cover standards on products, including major processed products of bamboo and rattan.
Bamboo and rattan are found in nearly 10,000 types of global products, including furniture, construction, textiles, electronics, and papermaking, among other applications. Establishing a new TC would promote international trade, specify definitions of bamboo and rattan products to reduce disputes, and bolster global cooperation. There are more than 50 global bamboo and rattan producers, including China, Brazil, India, and Ethiopia, and the Philippines. Global trade volume of bamboo and rattan products amounts to $5 billion USD.
ISO TC 165, Timber structures, issued three standards in 2004 for round bamboo used in bamboo buildings; however, the SAC proposal posits that TC 165 is not scoped to deliver a complete set of standards focused on non-timber forest resources such as bamboo and rattan.
Please direct all proposal comments to Steven Cornish, ANSI senior director for international policy ([email protected]). All comments will be compiled and applied the development of a recommended ANSI position. Comments on this proposal will be submitted to the AIC for approval prior to ISO's April 22, 2015, deadline for voting.
The full proposal filed by SAC is available here.
ANSI has published an explanatory information document outlining the process used to develop U.S. positions on issues and activities under consideration by ISO and IEC. Click here to download the document.