World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies Delegation Attended the 16th Plenary Meeting of ISO/TC 249
Release time: Nov 11,2026
Reading volume: 32
On 26-27 October 2026, the 16th Plenary Meeting of Technical Committee of Traditional Medicine, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO/TC 249) was held at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Nearly 100 delegates from 17 national bodies, the ISO Central Secretariat and relevant international organizations attended the meeting. This is the first plenary meeting convened since the scope of ISO/TC 249 was changed from traditional Chinese medicine to traditional medicine, and it is of significance in connecting the past with the future as the maps out a blueprint for the international standardization of traditional medicine globally and improves its governance system.
Group photo of all delegates at the 16th Plenary Meeting of ISO/TC 249
Up to now, ISO/TC 249 has published 150 international standards on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with 69 international standards under development. Covering Chinese medicinal materials, Chinese medicine products, TCM terminology, diagnostic and therapeutic equipment and service procedures, these standards provide solid technical support for improving the quality and safety of traditional medicine, promoting international trade and economic cooperation, and advancing the integration of traditional medicine into global health systems. The World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) is a Category A liaison organization of ISO/TC 249. LI Yu, Vice President and Secretary-General of WFCMS, headed the WFCMS delegation and attended the meeting together with the registered experts.
LI Yu, Vice President and Secretary-General of WFCMS, attending the meeting as head of the delegation
During the meeting, WANG Lili, Assistant Secretary-General of WFCMS and Director of the International Standardization Department, presented WFCMS’s work in standardization with ISO/TC 249. She noted that since establishing a formal working relation with ISO in 2010, WFCMS has been deeply and continuously engaged in the international standardization activities of ISO/TC 249, positively performing its functions as a Category A liaison organization and closely cooperating in completing all related work. To date, WFCMS has submitted more than 50 international standard proposals to the secretariat and registered more than 20 international experts. At this meeting, WFCMS reaffirmed that it will maintain its Category A liaison relationship with ISO/TC 249.
WANG Lili, Assistant Secretary-General of WFCMS and Director of the International Standardization Department, speaking at the meeting
The meeting conducted in-depth discussions on the future scope of work and development direction of ISO/TC 249. Experts from Iran, the African Continent and China’s Hong Kong SAR delivered thematic reports introducing the development background and current status of the industry for Persian traditional medicine, African traditional medicine and homeopathy. The meeting completed all items on its agenda, all resolutions were reached smoothly, and the plenary meeting came to a successful close.
In future, WFCMS will continue to leverage its strengths as an A-liaison organization, take an active part in the development of the global traditional medicine governance system, build consensus among experts from all countries, and advance the refinement of the traditional medicine standard system. It will make greater contributions to advancing the high-quality integration of traditional medicine into the global health system and building a global community of health for all.
Group photo of parts of WFCMS experts at the meeting
