Cupping device effective for blood circulation and removal of body wastes designated as an international standard Korean-style single-use cupping device expected to lead the global market as a standard model Dr. Lee Sanghun of KIOM receives ISO’s plaque of appreciation as a project leader On June 12, the air extraction cupping device proposed to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2014 was formally designated as an ISO international standard in May 2017 after the establishment of the requirements and test specifications based on the current status of usage around the world. The official title of the international standard is ‘air extraction cupping device (ISO 19611:2017(en)).’ It is especially significant that the designation of the single-use cupping device mainly used in Korea as an international standard is expected to open up an opportunity for the promotion of the cupping device and its possible domination in foreign markets. Cupping therapy is one of the leading treatment procedures carried out in Korean medical institutions, and it has outstanding effects for improving blood circulation and removal of body wastes. In Korea, with the coverage of the single-use cupping devices by the health insurance starting in 2012, the usage of single-use cupping is being recommended for wet cupping that involves bloodletting. At present, Korea is the only country where single-use cupping devices are used for wet cupping and incorporated in the health insurance coverage list. In most of the other countries including China, glass cups are cleaned and reused, and it is significant that the high level of Korean sanitary control can now be diffused around the world. The details of the international standard consist of the terms, structure and materials, capacity, transparency, biological safety, mechanical safety, corrosion resistance, sterilization and aseptic level, packaging, labeling, storage and shipping of products, etc. The new international standard is presented with the categories of non-bloodletting cupping and wet cupping performed after bloodletting. In the case of non-bloodletting cupping, a multiple-use type cupping device can be used after cleaning and disinfection, whereas in the case of bloodletting cupping, only a sterilized single-use type device can be used to prevent possible infection and ensure safety. Also, the specifications on the air outlet for cupping devices are provided, thereby solving the problem of having to purchase different suction pumps according to different types of cupping devices. This is expected to help eliminate various difficulties underlying international trade and contribute to the facilitation of export and import of cupping devices. For the designation of the international standard, Dr. Lee Sanghun, Senior Researcher of KIOM and Professor Song Yun-gyeong of Gachon University took part as joint project leaders in Korea along with experts from 22 other member countries of ISO/TC249 (ISO Technical Committee for traditional Chinese medicine), as well as various professionals from the local industry and government agencies such as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Dr. Lee and Professor Song received plaques of appreciation from ISO for their contribution to the establishment of the international standard. The cupping device is the fifth international standard in the field of traditional medicine that involved major Korean participation and development, followed by standards on moxibustion, herbal decoction apparatus, intradermal needles and manufacturing process of red ginseng.