Bamboo Sector Development and Standardization. Presentation at National Seminar on Role of Technology in Enhancing Bamboo Use, Forest Research Institute Dehradun, India, 25.-26. November 2014. Werner Kosemund, International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR).

1. Bamboo Sector Development and Standardization
National Seminar on Role of Technology in Enhancing Bamboo Use
Forest Research Institute Dehradun, 25.-26. November2014
Werner Kosemund
International Network for Bamboo and Rattan
Ready for Technology?
Photos: Zhu Zhaohua

2. Presentation Outline
1. Bamboo and Sustainable
Development Goals
2. SWOT of Bamboo Value Chains in
South Asia
3. Recommended Measures for
Development of the Sector
4. Bamboo and the Issue of
Standards and Certification
Photo: INBAR

3. (1) End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
(7) Ensure access to affordable, reliable,
sustainable, and modern energy for all.
(11) Make cities and human settlements
inclusive, safe and sustainable.
(12) Promote sustainable consumption and
production patterns.
(13) Take action to combat climate change and
its impacts.
(15) Protect, restore, and promote sustainable
use of terrestrial ecosystems, and halt
biodiversity loss.
Bamboo and Sustainable Development Goals
Photo: Werner Kosemund
Photo: Reuters/Sagoli
Source: INBAR Strategy 2015 – 2030, Final Draft

4. Source: INBAR Workshop on State and Perspectives for Bamboo Value Chain Development in South Asia, 25-26 Sept 2014, New Delhi, India
SWOT of Bamboo Value Chains in South Asia
Strengths Weaknesses
 Available government policy and strategies.
 Awareness among policy makers, producer and
consumer.
 Unsustainable management (wild grow-no use,
farmers unwilling-no commercial value, many
different species).
 Appropriate techniques/equipment and basic
skills available.
 Public investment in development and
dissemination of new technology.
 Lack of quality in processing and products.
 Lagging or use of inappropriate machinery and
equipment.
 Large volumes and wide species base.
 Multiple uses.
 No or poor linkages of supply source with
processing centers and limited manufacturing
industries to use the large volume
 Vast formal and informal market and increased
awareness of climate change and emerging
markets.
 Substitution for wood-based products and other.
 Domination of low value product manufacture.
 Inadequate access to finance.
 Low benefit for raw material producer.
 Limited or no access and sharing of information.
 Bamboo is part of South Asian culture.

5. Opportunities Constraints
 Potential for high and efficient production and
processing.
 Domestic stand alone SMEs.
 Benefits of improved product quality and
certification.
 No guarantee for supply / production.
 Lack of motivation.
 Quality requirement often not met.
 Reliability of business partner.
 Vast untapped export and domestic markets for
high value bamboo products to boost rural
economy.
 Substitution of wood and non-renewable raw
materials.
 Price of product too high.
 No organized demand.
 Communication problem/gap.
 High potential for public-private partnerships.
 Emergence of alternative finance mechanisms.
 Capturing value of environmental protection and
rehabilitation.
 Political will.
 Cooperation potential related to key drivers of
global change and MDGs, particularly climate
change.
 Competitive advantage in rehabilitation of
degraded land.
SWOT of Bamboo Value Chains in South Asia
Source: INBAR Workshop on State and Perspectives for Bamboo Value Chain Development in South Asia, 25-26 Sept 2014, New Delhi, India

6. Recommended Measures for Development of the Sector
Photo: Werner Kosemund
Source: INBAR Workshop on State and Perspectives for Bamboo Value Chain Development in South Asia, 25-26 Sept 2014, New Delhi, India
Priority Areas
0 10 20 30 40 50
Sector Finance
Business Management
Standards and Certification
Network and Knowledge Management
Value Chain Development
Percentage Weighting

7. 0 5 10 15 20
Secure adequate finance for the sector
Improve supply chain mechanisms
Make business models available
Provide regional certification standards
Improve availability of data and information
Create a brand/niche for bamboo and bamboo
products
Strengthen network and cooperation
Overcome difficulties of sustaining vertical linkages and
develop an enabling business environment
Percentage Weighting
Recommended Measures for Development of the Sector
Source: INBAR Workshop on State and Perspectives for Bamboo Value Chain Development in South Asia, 25-26 Sept 2014, New Delhi, India
Interventions to develop the Bamboo Sector in South Asia

8. Bamboo and the Issue of Standards and Certification
ISO Definition of Standard
A documented agreement containing technical specifications or other precise criteria
to be used consistently as rules, guidelines or definitions of characteristics, to ensure
that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose.
Standard types: (1) Quality (2) Safety (3) Authenticity (4) Goodness of Production Process
Product or Process Standards
Scope of standard: National or International – Voluntary or MandatoryWhy Standards?
 To achieve greater efficiency, reduce costs and enhance competitiveness.
 To comply with laws & regulations, avoid risks and protect against fraudulent claims.
 To close the gap between producer and consumer and differentiate products.
Who sets Standards?
 Legal authority: Governments and authorized institutions (e.g. BIS, CEN)
 Industry: Individual or collective (brands and associations).
 Third party: Civic regulation (e.g. Fairtrade) or standard setting (e.g. ISO) .
 Joint government-industry: Policy- (e.g. EU Ecolabel) or partnership rsp.
multi-stakeholder driven (e.g. SA 8000 social accountability standard).

9. Bamboo and the Issue of Standards and Certification
Bamboo-specific Standards
Particularly important to gain access to new export markets*, greater engineering
acceptance, and closing the socio-technical economic gap between scientifically
advanced (e.g. EU, US as key importer of bamboo products), proficient (e.g. India),
developing (e.g. Sri Lanka) and lagging (e.g. Nepal) countries.
Product standards: Structural design and mechanical properties
2004: ISO 22156, standards for structural design with bamboo.
2004: ISO 22157-1 & -2, determining physical and mechanical properties of bamboo.
2012: ASTM 11a 5456, laminated veneer bamboo for structural applications.
2013: ISO Working Group on mechanical strength grading of round culm bamboo.
National standards have been developed in e.g. China and India.
Process standards: Sustainable management and chain of custody certification
No bamboo-specific process standards available to date. Rainforest Alliance is working
on a stewardship standard for the production of alternative natural fibers including
crop specific requirements for bamboo.
* as consequence of new technologies enabling bamboo products to compete effectively as a substitute material for a range of resources
such as timber, viscose, fiberglass, and construction materials

10. Bamboo and the Issue of Standards and Certification
Conclusions
 Bamboo is emerging as an important substitute for wood and fiber, but major
purchasers of these products increasingly require some form of certification.
 Bamboo falls under a wide range of different certifications due to the great variety
of products and varying requirements of import countries rsp. union of states.
 Bamboo would need more international product specific standards to gain better
acceptance and market access.
 Bamboo withdraws itself from forest and agricultural certification schemes due to
its unique nature.
 Bamboo would need harmonized national or regional step-by-step certification
schemes to benefit sustainable management and product processing, and hence,
bamboo value chain actors, particularly MSME’s.
Certification of bamboo management and chain of custody is made on the basis of
existing standards for sustainable forest management or organic production in case of
e.g. bamboo shoots.
Schemes of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for Endorsement
of Forest Certification (PEFC) are dominating the current market.

11. Thank you for your kind attention!
Photo: INBAR