ISO 8959:2024

Overview - ISO 8959:2024 for Eucommia ulmoides stem bark

ISO 8959:2024 is the first edition (August 2024) international standard that specifies minimum requirements and test methods for Eucommia ulmoides stem bark used as natural medicines and Chinese materia medica in international trade. The standard applies to whole medicinal materials and raw decoction pieces but is not applicable to processed decoction pieces. Its purpose is to harmonize quality, safety and identification criteria for this traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ingredient across markets.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and descriptions: botanical source (Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.), macroscopic traits (flat pieces, 0.3–0.7 cm thick, pale brown/greyish-brown outer surface, dark‑purple inner surface), slight odour, slightly bitter taste.
• Microscopic characteristics: transverse section features (cork, 5–7 bands of lignified stone cells in phloem) and powder features (sclereids 20–80 µm, up to 180 µm).
• Quantitative limits:
  • Moisture: mass fraction ≤ 13.0%
  • Total ash: mass fraction ≤ 10.0%
  • Acid‑insoluble ash: to be determined (test required)
• Chemical and safety tests:
  • Thin‑layer chromatography (TLC) identification - sample must match reference medicine spots (Annex A).
  • Ethanol‑soluble extractives and marker compound(s) (e.g., pinoresinol diglucoside) - determination methods included (Annex B describes HPLC‑UV).
  • Contaminants: heavy metals (As, Hg, Pb, Cd), pesticide residues (e.g., BHC, DDT), and sulfur dioxide residues - test methods referenced.
• Sampling and test methods: sampling in accordance with ISO 23723; macroscopic ID requires ≥ 500 g per batch. Test report, packaging, storage, transportation, marking and labelling requirements are specified.

Practical applications and users

This ISO standard is intended for:

• Herbal medicine manufacturers and processors who source, grade or sell Eucommia ulmoides stem bark.
• Quality control and analytical laboratories performing TLC, HPLC‑UV, heavy metal and pesticide assays.
• Regulatory authorities, exporters/importers and procurement teams seeking harmonized acceptance criteria for international trade.
• Pharmacopoeia bodies and standards developers aligning national requirements (Annex C lists national/regional values).

Practical uses include product specification development, incoming material inspection, supplier qualification, safety compliance, and prevention of adulteration or improper processing.

Related standards

• ISO 23723 - General requirements for herbal raw material and materia medica (sampling reference)
• ISO 18664 - Determination of heavy metals in TCM
• ISO 22258 - Determination of pesticide residues
• ISO 22590 - Determination of sulfur dioxide
• ISO 21371 and ISO 22217 - Labelling and storage requirements for TCM products

Keywords: ISO 8959:2024, Eucommia ulmoides stem bark, traditional Chinese medicine standard, pinoresinol diglucoside, TLC, HPLC‑UV, moisture limit, total ash, heavy metals, pesticide residues.