In September 2009, the 46th ISO Technical Management Board (TMB) meeting resolved to establish ISO/TC 249 Traditional Chinese Medicine, with its Secretariat in China hosted by Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Currently, Professor Shen Yuandong serves as the Chair. 

In January 2025, following ISO/TMB Resolution No. 86/2024 and approval by ISO member bodies worldwide, ISO/TC 249 changed its title to Technical Committee for Traditional Medicine, expanding its scope to include traditional medicine. Its scope covers standardization of materials, products, services and processes in traditional medical systems, including modern developments of these systems, but not clinical practice.

ISO/TC 249 currently has 46 member bodies and two subcommittees (Traditional Chinese Medicine; Ayurveda and Yoga). It has established liaisons with international organizations such as WHO, WFCMS, WFAS, and IEC/SC 62D to facilitate cooperation in traditional medicine standardization.

As of July 2025, ISO/TC 249 has published 121 international standards, with 68 under development. The Committee has effectively advanced standardization in areas such as CMM quality, testing methods for pesticides and heavy metals, acupuncture devices, and TCM information, contributing to the high-quality development of international TCM standards and significantly promoting TCM international trade and global integration.