ISO 19015
(Main)Traditional Chinese medicine — Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds and seedlings
Traditional Chinese medicine — Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds and seedlings
This document specifies the minimum requirements and test methods of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds and seedlings. It is suitable for use in quality assurance during the production and marketing of cultivated Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds and Glycyrrhiza uralensis seedlings.
Médecine traditionnelle chinoise — Graines et plants de Glycyrrhiza uralensis et de Glycyrrhiza glabra
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/FDIS 19015
ISO/TC 249
Traditional Chinese medicine —
Secretariat: SAC
Glycyrrhiza uralensis and
Voting begins on:
Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds and
2025-03-25
seedlings
Voting terminates on:
2025-05-20
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
Reference number
ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en) © ISO 2025
FINAL DRAFT
ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en)
International
Standard
ISO/FDIS 19015
ISO/TC 249
Traditional Chinese medicine —
Secretariat: SAC
Glycyrrhiza uralensis and
Voting begins on:
Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds and
seedlings
Voting terminates on:
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
© ISO 2025
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en) © ISO 2025
ii
ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Descriptions . 3
5 Requirements and recommendations . 6
5.1 General characteristics .6
5.2 Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds .6
5.3 Glycyrrhiza uralensis seedlings.7
6 Sampling . 7
6.1 Seed sampling . .7
6.2 Seedling sampling .8
7 Test methods . 8
7.1 External test .8
7.2 Purity .8
7.3 Maturity .8
7.4 Seed viability .8
7.5 Germination percentage .8
7.6 Seed moisture content .8
7.7 1 000-seed mass .9
7.8 Nematode testing .9
7.9 Seedling mass .9
7.10 Hibernaculum diameter .9
7.11 Root length .9
8 Test report . 9
9 Packaging, storage and transportation . 9
10 Marking . .10
Bibliography .11
iii
ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 249, Traditional Chinese medicine.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en)
Introduction
Liquorice is one of the most frequently used medicinal plants and has been used as a traditional Chinese
medicine (TCM) for more than 4 000 years. It is widely used in medicine, food and cosmetics industry
worldwide. It is rich in triterpenoids and flavonoids, such as ammonium glycyrrhizinate, glycyrrhizin,
liquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, glabridin, and has antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral,
antiinflammatory, immunoregulatory, antioxidant and other effects. It is included in the Pharmacopoeia of
the People's Republic of China, European Pharmacopoeia, Japanese Pharmacopoeia, Korean Pharmacopoeia
and United States Pharmacopoeia. It is also used as a sweetener, an antioxidant, an antibacterial agent, a
foaming agent and a flavour enhancer. Meanwhile, it is a food additive approved by the European Union,
the United States, China and other countries (or regions). Glabridin is recognized as a safe whitening agent
because it has a significant inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity and has low toxicity to melanocytes.
Between 2019 and 2021, a total of 119 countries (or regions) engaged in international trade of liquorice
products. 3 countries (or regions) only exported and 60 countries (or regions) only imported liquorice
products. 56 countries (or regions) both exported and imported liquorice products. It is ranked no. 1 in the
priority list of single herbal medicines for developing standards in ISO/TR 23975.
Three original plants, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. are
defined as liquorice in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, European Pharmacopoeia and
Korean Pharmacopoeia. Due to high-intensity anthropogenic activities that cause habitat destruction and
uncontrolled exploitation, liquorice resources have become increasingly limited. With the development of
artificial cultivation technology geared towards meeting the growing market demands, cultivated varieties
of liquorice have become the primary source of liquorice products. At present, only G. uralensis and G. glabra
have realized the large-scale cultivation. High quality seeds and seedlings are the assurance of the efficacy
and safety of clinical drug use. In the production of G. uralensis and G. glabra, the problems of confusion,
heterozygosity and uneven quality of seeds and seedlings often occur. At present, an international
standard for G. uralensis and G. glabra seeds and seedlings is absent. Therefore, it is urgent to formulate
an international standard for G. uralensis and G. glabra seeds and seedlings. It is the requirement of the
global trade and production. It can ensure the higher productivity and better product quality from origin
and benefit seed or seedling trading, plantation and the related pharmaceutical industry.
v
FINAL DRAFT International Standard ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en)
Traditional Chinese medicine — Glycyrrhiza uralensis and
Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds and seedlings
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements and test methods of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra
seeds and seedlings.
This document is applicable to Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds and Glycyrrhiza uralensis
seedlings that are sold for the production of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra root as natural
medicines in international trade including Chinese materia medica (whole medicinal materials) and
decoction p
...
ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en)
ISO/TC 249/WG 1
Secretariat: SAC
Date: 2025-02-0503-10
Traditional Chinese medicine — Glycyrrhiza uralensis and
Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds and seedlings
FDIS stage
ISO/DISFDIS 19015:2025(en)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication
may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO
at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
EmailE-mail: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en)
Contents
Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Descriptions . 3
5 Requirements and recommendations . 9
5.1 General characteristics . 9
5.2 Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds . 9
5.3 Glycyrrhiza uralensis seedlings . 9
6 Sampling . 10
6.1 Seed sampling . 10
6.2 Seedling sampling . 10
7 Test methods . 10
7.1 External test . 10
7.2 Purity . 10
7.3 Maturity . 10
7.4 Seed viability . 11
7.5 Germination percentage . 11
7.6 Seed moisture content . 11
7.7 1 000-seed mass . 11
7.8 Nematode testing . 11
7.9 Seedling mass . 11
7.10 Hibernaculum diameter . 11
7.11 Root length . 11
8 Test report . 11
9 Packaging, storage and transportation . 12
10 Marking . 12
Bibliography . 13
iii
ISO/DISFDIS 19015:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 249,
Traditional Chinese medicine.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en)
Introduction
Liquorice is one of the most frequently used medicinal plants and has been used as a traditional Chinese
medicine (TCM) for more than 4 000 years. It is widely used in medicine, food and cosmetics industry
worldwide. It is rich in triterpenoids and flavonoids, such as ammonium glycyrrhizinate, glycyrrhizin,
liquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, glabridin, and has antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral,
antiinflammatory, immunoregulatory, antioxidant and other effects. It is included in the Pharmacopoeia of the
People's Republic of China, European Pharmacopoeia, Japanese Pharmacopoeia, Korean Pharmacopoeia and
United States Pharmacopoeia. It is also used as a sweetener, an antioxidant, an antibacterial agent, a foaming
agent and a flavour enhancer. Meanwhile, it is a food additive approved by the European Union, the United
States, China and other countries (or regions). Glabridin is recognized as a safe whitening agent because it has
a significant inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity and has low toxicity to melanocytes. Between 2019 and
2021, a total of 119 countries (or regions) engaged in international trade of liquorice products. 3 countries (or
regions) only exported and 60 countries (or regions) only imported liquorice products. 56 countries (or
regions) both exported and imported liquorice products. It is ranked no. 1 in the priority list of single herbal
medicines for developing standards in ISO/TR 23975:2025.
Three original plants, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. are defined
as liquorice in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, European Pharmacopoeia and Korean
Pharmacopoeia. Due to high-intensity anthropogenic activities that cause habitat destruction and
uncontrolled exploitation, liquorice resources have become increasingly limited. With the development of
artificial cultivation technology geared towards meeting the growing market demands, cultivated varieties of
liquorice have become the primary source of liquorice products. At present, only G. uralensis and G. glabra
have realized the large-scale cultivation. High quality seeds and seedlings are the assurance of the efficacy and
safety of clinical drug use. In the production of G. uralensis and G. glabra, the problems of confusion,
heterozygosity and uneven quality of seeds and seedlings often occur. At present, an international standard
for G. uralensis and G. glabra seeds and seedlings is absent. Therefore, it is urgent to formulate an international
standard for G. uralensis and G. glabra seeds and seedlings. It is the requirement of the global trade and
production. It can ensure the higher productivity and better product quality from origin and benefit seed or
seedling trading, plantation and the related pharmaceutical industry.
v
FINAL DRAFT International Standard ISO/FDIS 19015:2025(en)
Traditional Chinese medicine — Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza
glabra seeds and seedlings
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements and test methods of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra
seeds and seedlings.
This document is applicable to Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds and Glycyrrhiza uralensis
seedlings that are sold for the production of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra root as natural
medicines in international trade including Chinese materia medica (whole medicinal materials) and decoction
pieces.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 21371, Traditional Chinese medicine — Labelling requirements of products intended for oral or topical use
ISO 22217, Traditional Chinese medicine —Storage requirements for raw materials and decoction pieces
International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), International Rules for Seed Testing
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— — ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— — IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1 3.1
seed lot
specified quantity of the seed (3.7(3.7)) that is physically and uniquely identifiable
[SOURCE: ISO 17217-1:2014, 3.1]
3.2 3.2
primary sample
portion taken from the seed lot (3.1(3.1)) during one single sample action
[SOURCE: ISO 17217-1:2014, 3.2]
ISO/DISFDIS 19015:2025(en)
3.3 3.3
composite sample
sample formed by combining and mixing all the primary samples (3.2(3.2)) taken from the seed lot (3.1(3.1))
[SOURCE: ISO 17217-1:2014, 3.3]
3.4 3.4
subsample
portion of a primary sample (3.2(3.2)) obtained by reducing a sample
[SOURCE: ISO 17217-1:2014, 3.4]
3.5 3.5
submitted sample
sample to be submitted to the testing laboratory that comprises either the whole of the composite sample
(3.3(3.3)) or a subsample (3.4(3.4))
Note 1 to entry: The submitted sample may be divided into subsamples packed in different material meeting conditions
for specific tests (e.g. moisture or health).
[SOURCE: ISO 17217-1:2014, 3.5]
3.6 3.6
working sample
entire submitted sample (3.5(3.5)) or subsample (3.4(3.4)) to which one of the quality testtests is applied
Note 1 to entry: The working sample has at least the mass prescribed by theISTA, International Rules for Seed Testing for
the particular test.
[SOURCE: ISO 17217-1:2014, 3.6, modified — "weight" has been replaced by "mass".]"; the reference to "the
International Rules for Seed Testing" has been moved to Note 1 to entry.]
3.7 3.7
seed
mature ovule produced by Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. or Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
Note 1 to entry: It consists of three basic parts: embryo, cotyledons and seed coat.
3.8 3.8
purity
mass fraction of pure seed (3.7(3.7)) fraction divided by the total mass of the working sample (3.6(3.6),), in per
cent
Note 1 to entry: The pure seed refers to the species stated by the applicant, or found to predominate in the test, an
...
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