ICBR holds the ISO/TC 296 Secretariat and serves as the national mirror committee of ISO/TC 296 at the same time.

ISO/TC 296 concerns itself with the  standardization of bamboo, rattan and derived materials in aspects including  terminology, classification, specifications, test methods and quality  requirements. It excludes the bamboo and rattan related standards being  developed by ISO/TC 6 Paper, board and pulps, ISO/TC 34 Food products, ISO/TC  38 Textiles, ISO/TC 89 Wood-based panels, ISO/TC 136 Furniture, ISO/TC 165  Timber structures, ISO/TC 218 Timber, ISO/TC 219 Floor coverings and ISO/TC  287 Sustainable processes for wood and wood-based products.

Bamboo and rattan  are among the most important non-timber forest resources due to their fast  growth, high yields and diverse end uses. Bamboo and rattan can be used in sectors  like construction, furniture, home decoration, chemical industry and consumer  goods, while they also play an increasingly important role in protecting the  ecosystems, improving the environment and reducing poverty. In 2018,  the global trade volume of bamboo and rattan products stood at  approximately $ 3.25 billion. There are over 40 bamboo and rattan  producing countries, including China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines,  Brazil, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana. The main consumer markets for  bamboo and rattan include the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan, and  the Republic of Korea. It is estimated that across the world more than  10 million people are employed in the bamboo and rattan sector,  engaging in processing, sale and trade, around 90%of whom are located in Asia.

 The establishment of  internationally-accepted standards on bamboo and rattan terminology, test methods,  specifications and quality based on knowledge of the R&D, processing, trade  of bamboo, rattan and their products across the world is conducive to the sustainable  development and effective utilization of bamboo and rattan resources.