How to Choose a Reputable Hemp Testing Lab
Choosing a Reputable Hemp Testing Lab
Finding a testing lab you can trust and feel comfortable working with is an important step for any hemp company. Knowing what questions to ask and what information you should be looking to gather when vetting a lab isn’t always apparent, especially if this is your first time working with one. We wanted to help simplify this process so we have created an easy to follow guide that can help you gather important information when selecting a lab.
Transparency
Audit your lab! Transparency is the most important feature of identifying a reputable lab. A lab should be ready and willing to share as much information as they are able too with you. They should be open about their accreditations, quality programs, data collection and reporting, capacity, turn-around-times, and method validations. A testing lab is an integral partner to your business and you should walk away from an audit feeling like the lab is invested in your success.
Quality
Does the lab have a quality assurance (QA) program in place? The lab should have a written QA Manual and written standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all operations and tasks related to testing. They should have logs to track the execution of SOPs and procedures in place to institute corrective actions when an SOP is not followed.
Method Validation – This is a complex subject and one we could passionately talk about for days but here are the basics. Any lab you work with should have validated methods for the products you need tested. A validated method ensures that the test being run is appropriate for the compounds you want to identify and the type of product you want tested. A method that is validated to test for potency in hemp biomass may not be validated to test for potency in a hemp extract. A well-run lab can also offer fit for purpose method analysis and validation, ensuring that they can provide accurate data even within difficult matrices.
Turn-around-time
Sometimes abbreviated as TAT, turn-around-time indicates how quickly you will get your results after the lab receives your sample. Turn-around-time will vary by product type and the tests that are being run, so always make sure to double-check that the stated turn-around-times are appropriately matched to your specific product/test requests. A key question to ask when vetting your lab is how often they hit their stated turn-around-times. A well run lab will be proud to share this data with you and if they aren’t willing to that is a red flag.
Capacity
A key aspect that has a direct effect on turn-around-time is a lab's capacity to handle increased testing volumes or equipment malfunctions. You should always enquire as to how a lab handles a busy season, like harvest season for hemp, and do they back-up instruments or staff that they can use in a pinch.
How to think about cost
Cost goes beyond the price you pay for each test. While that may be the easiest part to measure, you should consider the following as part of your decision when selecting a lab. If a lab fails to deliver on-time results, what does it cost you to have your products sitting on an extended hold? If the lab didn’t use validated methods and your labeled value for potency is incorrect, how much would a recall cost you? How much might it cost if a lawsuit is brought against you and your data ends up not being legally defensible? Working with an accredited lab that provides trusted and defensible data can save you time and money in these and many other situations.
Tests and Results
While the specific tests each company needs to run may vary here are the core tests that your selected lab should be able to run and make sure they able to run all of these tests in house. Some labs will send out your samples to other 3rd party labs to cover tests they do not run in-house (sometimes without your knowledge).
- AOAC Method for potency
- Full hemp panel
- Cannabinoids
- Contaminants
- Pesticides
- Microbiology
- Nutritionals
- Stability programs
- Seed health/genetics
You will utilize these test results to create your product specification sheets if selling b2b or product labels if selling to consumers and you want to feel confident that if that FDA checked your products that your data is defensible and came from a trustworthy source.
Accreditations and Licenses
When it comes to accreditations it is important to remember that not only should the lab facility be accredited but also the individual test methods being performed. The minimum requirement is to ensure the laboratory runs analyses under ISO 17025. Make sure to check the scope of accreditation to understand if the analyses you require are conducted within scope. If the lab you are working with runs tests on extracts than they must be registered with the DEA as specified in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Support Services
A lab should be more than just a place that performs tests on your products. They should have a robust support system in place to be able to help you work through the various challenges you may encounter when testing your products. Do they offer regulatory guidance on appropriate tests and methods? Can they provide technical support and troubleshooting services when problems arise? Are they willing to help you decipher your results and work with you when challenging results occur? Are they able to provide customized testing solutions to meet your needs?
Red flags
Like most things in life, if the price is too good to be true, it’s probably because it is. If you ask about testing methods, method validation, or accreditations, and they won’t share that info or claim it is proprietary that is another red flag.