BASE Bahay Foundation (BASE), a recognized global leader in bamboo bamboo-based research and technology, today announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the U.S.-based International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) to build safer, eco-friendly homes that address urgent housing needs in vulnerable communities across the world by establishing official global standards for structural bamboo construction.
Under the partnership, ICC-ES and BASE will assemble an industry-first group of international experts to develop global Acceptance Criteria documents for structural bamboo, creating code-compliant pathways for this alternative building material.
The new Acceptance Criteria will form the basis for official Structural Bamboo Evaluation Service Reports (ESRs). These reports will rigorously confirm that bamboo buildings meet all safety standards, providing architects, builders, and government officials with the necessary confidence to specify, design, and build with structural bamboo.
“Working with ICC-ES is a significant step toward strengthening confidence in structural bamboo as a reliable building material. By supporting the evaluation and recognition of bamboo within established codes and standards, this collaboration helps formalize its use in mainstream construction,” said Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez, BASE General Manager.
“Incorporating bamboo into regulatory frameworks not only ensures safety, quality, and performance but also unlocks wider adoption of a regenerative, low-carbon material. Ultimately, this paves the way for more resilient, sustainable, and accessible building solutions for communities that need them most.”
Bamboo has been a cornerstone building material for thousands of years across South Asia, East Asia, and Central and South America, recognized for its affordability, rapid growth, and environmental benefits. Despite its rich history and immense potential, especially in regions facing significant economic and environmental challenges, structural bamboo has largely lacked formal, independent evaluation for code compliance in modern regulatory frameworks. This collaboration, spearheaded by BASE, represents a pivotal step towards establishing the technical foundation required for its widespread adoption.
BASE will play a critical, leading role in this effort by identifying and engaging global subject-matter experts for the working group. The foundation will also actively involve structural bamboo producers from participating countries and ensure that the resulting ESRs are aligned with real-world construction practices and existing technical research. These contributions are vital to guarantee an evaluation framework that supports regional capacity building and encourages the broader adoption of structural bamboo as a safe and resilient building material globally.
ICC-ES will contribute its established expertise in testing, inspection, and certification services for structural bamboo, facilitating its global acceptance and boosting confidence in its use as an innovative building solution. Initial efforts will focus on critical markets such as Colombia, the Philippines, India, and Indonesia, with future expansion planned for Australia, Brazil, Fiji, Malaysia, Mexico, and Nepal – all regions where demand for safe, permanent, and sustainable structures is exceptionally high.
Said Chris Fennell, Vice President of Global Business Development for ICC’s Conformity Assessment Group (ICC CAG): “This collaboration reflects ICC-ES’s continued global growth and its mission to help create a safer built environment while addressing urgent housing needs. By combining technical evaluation, code development support, and product evaluation, ICC-ES is helping expand broader code acceptance of both traditional and innovative materials, including structural bamboo, in a way that supports regional adoption and long-term resilience.”
The new global rules for bamboo building are targeted for completion by late 2026, with official reports and tests expected to be finalized by early 2027.
For more information on Base Bahay Foundation, Inc. and its transformative projects, please visit www.base-builds.com.
