ISO 18668-3:2017

Overview

ISO 18668-3:2017 - Traditional Chinese medicine - Coding system for Chinese medicines - Part 3: Codes for Chinese Materia Medica defines a standardized coding set for Chinese Materia Medica. The standard provides unique machine-readable codes for 592 kinds of Chinese Materia Medica, implemented according to the coding rules in ISO 18668‑1. It supports digitalization and standardization of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) data for clinical use, research, education, statistics and regulatory management.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and content
  • Encodes 592 distinct Chinese Materia Medica entries listed in Table 1 of the standard.
  • Intended for raw medicinal materials (Chinese Materia Medica), including attributes that distinguish decoction pieces and granule forms where relevant.
• Coding principles (explicit in the standard)
  • Uniqueness: each variety and processed form has one unique code.
  • Scientificity: classification based on stable biological, botanical and medicinal attributes.
  • Scalability: code structure provides room for future expansion.
  • Compatibility: designed to align with existing international systems and standards.
  • Stability: codes remain unchanged once assigned unless a medicinal’s basic characteristics change.
• Coding structure
  • Uses a 17-digit Arabic numeric code organized into 10 layers. These layers capture information such as medicinal source, medicinal part, specification and processing method (see ISO 18668‑1 for detailed rules).
• Normative linkage
  • ISO 18668‑1 is a normative reference that defines the coding rules and technical requirements to which Part 3 adheres.

Practical applications

• Traceability and bar‑coding of Chinese medicinal materials for supply chain and retail.
• Clinical information systems and hospital pharmacies for accurate dispensing and medication safety.
• Research and scientific data management - consistent identifiers for botanicals and raw materials.
• Teaching and curriculum development - standardized reference codes for materia medica.
• Regulatory oversight, statistics and product registration - simplified cross-border trade and quality control.

Who should use this standard

• Pharmaceutical manufacturers and TCM raw-material suppliers
• Healthcare providers, hospital pharmacies and dispensaries
• Regulatory authorities and standards bodies
• Clinical researchers, academic institutions and educators
• IT and informatics vendors building TCM inventory, EHR and supply‑chain systems

Related standards

• ISO 18668‑1 (Coding rules for Chinese medicines) - normative reference
• Compatibility considerations with GS1, ISO/IEC 15420 and central product classification (CPC) frameworks are noted in the standard introduction.

Keywords: ISO 18668-3:2017, Traditional Chinese medicine, coding system, Chinese Materia Medica, 17-digit code, 10 layers, ISO 18668-1, traceability, standardization, TCM digitalization.