According to the ISO (International Organization for Standardization), headquartered in Switzerland, a coding standard for traditional Chinese herbs, Chinese herbal medicines, and granules of traditional Chinese herbs, has been approved by the ISO following a careful, three-month review and vote. This means these substances and other materials used for Tradtional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have formally been granted an international "identity card."

According to the ISO, Chinese herbal medicines has been approved by the ISO following a careful, three-month review and vote. This means these substances and other materials used for Tradtional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have formally been granted an international "identity card."

According to Shenzhen's Department of Chinese Medicine Standardization of the Health and Family Planning Commission, this new coding system for TCM and its components consists of four parts - Chinese herbal medicine, traditional Chinese herbal pieces, Chinese herbal medicine, and granules of traditional Chinese herbs. The coding standard is based on the digital coding technology standard with the addition of characteristics and advantages of Chinese herbal medicine, thereby forming a new computer language. The traditional Chinese herbal medicine coding system has advantages due to its concise, accurate, and safe information sources. The system has much more modernization, standardization, information technology, and safety supervision, which helps all parties involved to promote the international trades of traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

The ISO has established 47 projects for traditional Chinese herbal medicine, with 6 of them being submitted by Shenzhen.