International Standardization of Kampo Medicines (Traditional Chinese Medicines) and Their Raw Materials —A Message from the First Generation—

Abstract

ISO/TC249 standardizes traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including Japanese Kampo medicine. Working Group 1 covers raw materials for TCM and their traditional processing methods. Working Group 2 covers TCM products including Kampo products. The author has continuously participated in ISO/TC249 since 2011. The standard proposed by the author himself has become an international one. Here I will describe my experience of international standardization in ISO/TC249. I will also describe the preparatory work for the standardization of Kampo medicines that I did before the establishment of ISO/TC249. This will serve as a reference for future generations.