Overview
ISO/TR 18986:2024 is an ISO Technical Report from ISO/TC 249 (Traditional Chinese medicine) that surveys the global industry and standardization development of Panax ginseng (the dried root and rhizome of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer). The report documents origin and application history, medicinal value, geographical distribution, cultivation and processing methods, industry development, international trade, and the current status and demands for international standardization. As a Technical Report, it compiles information and analysis rather than prescribing binding requirements.
Key topics
The report organizes practical, technical information useful across the Panax ginseng value chain:
- Origin and historical use - classical use in China, Korea and other regions; historical periods and evolution of applications.
- Medicinal value - traditional indications, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects and modern TCM preparations.
- Geographical distribution - principal producing countries (China, Republic of Korea, DPRK, Japan, Russian Federation) and global market presence.
- Cultivation methods - general practices, wild-simulated and field cultivation approaches.
- Processing methods - cleansing, drying, steaming, sugaring, scalding, freeze‑drying and extraction techniques described in the report.
- Industry and trade analysis - production volumes, value, import/export trends and market analysis.
- Standardization status and needs - review of national pharmacopoeias, laws, national and regional standards and the gaps requiring international harmonization.
- Informative annexes - compilations of quality standards recorded in different pharmacopoeias and national/regional regulations (Annex A–C).
Practical applications
ISO/TR 18986:2024 is primarily an informational foundation to support development of harmonized standards and is useful for:
- Standards bodies and policy makers - to identify gaps and priorities for international standard development.
- Regulators and pharmacopoeia committees - to benchmark national requirements and align terminology, quality and safety criteria.
- Producers and processors - to compare cultivation and processing practices (wild-simulated vs field cultivation; steaming, drying, extraction) and anticipate international market expectations.
- Exporters and trade organizations - to understand trade flows and compliance pressures across major markets.
- Researchers and healthcare product developers - to locate pharmacological summaries and documented uses that inform product formulation and claims.
Related standards and next steps
- The report summarizes existing entries in national pharmacopoeias and regional standards and stresses the need for unified quality, safety, terminology and processing standards for Panax ginseng.
- ISO/TR 18986:2024 is intended to inform subsequent international standardization work (e.g., development of ISO standards covering the Panax ginseng industry chain).
Keywords: ISO/TR 18986:2024, Panax ginseng, Traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng cultivation, ginseng processing, ginseng standards, pharmacopoeia, international trade.