ISO 21625:2020

Overview

ISO 21625:2020 - Vocabulary related to bamboo and bamboo products - is an international glossary that defines terms used across the bamboo value chain. The standard provides consistent definitions for bamboo, bamboo culm and anatomical features (nodes, internodes, diaphragm), as well as intermediate products (splits, strips, slivers, fibre bundles, scrimber) and finished bamboo products (bamboo-based panels, flooring, charcoal, vinegar, extracts, furniture). ISO 21625:2020 is applicable to bamboo in production and trade and was prepared by ISO/TC 296 (Bamboo and Rattan).

Key topics and technical scope

• Definitions for bamboo anatomy and growth terms:
  • bamboo culm, bamboo node, bamboo internode, bamboo rhizome, bamboo shoot
• Intermediate bamboo product terminology:
  • bamboo split, bamboo strip, bamboo sliver, bamboo fibre bundle, bamboo scrimber, esterrilla, flattened bamboo
• Finished product vocabulary:
  • bamboo-based panel and subtypes (ply bamboo, bamboo oriented strand board, composite panels), glued laminated bamboo, bamboo veneer, bamboo flooring variants
  • bamboo charcoal, bamboo vinegar, bamboo extract products, and bamboo fibre textiles
• Application and trade context:
  • Terms cover products used in construction, flooring, panels, textiles, charcoal/activated carbon, and commodity goods (e.g., chopsticks)
• Normative references:
  • The document contains no normative references but cites existing ISO standards where definitions were adapted (e.g., ISO 22157:2019, ISO 19624:2018, ISO 16894:2009, ISO 24294:2013, ISO 17064:2016).

Practical applications - who uses this standard

ISO 21625:2020 is useful for:

• Manufacturers and processors standardizing product descriptions (e.g., scrimber, laminated bamboo)
• Product designers and engineers working with bamboo-based panels and flooring
• Traders and procurement teams who need unambiguous product terms for contracts and specifications
• Regulators, certification bodies and testing labs aligning definitions for compliance and labeling
• Researchers and educators referencing standardized terminology in publications and training materials

Using a shared vocabulary reduces confusion in international trade, improves procurement clarity, and facilitates clear product standards development for bamboo materials.

Related standards

• ISO/TC 296 (Bamboo and Rattan)
• ISO 22157:2019, ISO 19624:2018, ISO 16894:2009, ISO 24294:2013, ISO 17064:2016 (sources referenced or adapted in ISO 21625)

Keywords: ISO 21625:2020, bamboo vocabulary, bamboo terminology, bamboo products, bamboo-based panel, bamboo flooring, bamboo scrimber, bamboo standards.