On Friday, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, global standards developer ASTM International testified at the FDA’s public hearing on scientific data and info about cannabis products.

Robert Morgan, director of technical committee operations and staff manager for the ASTM International committee on cannabis (D37), testified about ASTM’s consensus-driven efforts to develop technical standards that advance the safety, manufacturing, and quality of cannabis products and processes.  

Morgan testified about the cannabis committee’s 600 members, 14 countries represented, and partnerships with US-based and international organizations such as the American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp, the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, and the Europe-based International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute.  

To date, the cannabis committee has developed six consensus standards that address water activity, cleaning and sanitation, packaging and label, waste management, managing hazard analyses critical control points. Morgan also noted that in addition to the approved standards, the committee is currently developing additional standards that include lighting requirements, recall and removal procedures, quality management systems, and more. 

Morgan also testified on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s long history of working together with ASTM International in the development of standards for medical devices and products, among others. 

ASTM International’s cannabis committee is currently meeting in Denver, Colorado, USA. The committee welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN. 

To learn more about ASTM International’s role in cannabis standards development, read this article from the January/February issue of Standardization News. 

Media Inquiries: Dan Bergels, tel +1.610.832.9602; dbergels@astm.org 

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