ASTM International’s Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) for hemp flower products has received ISO 17043 accreditation through the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).

The accreditation marks a provider’s technical competence for a defined testing scope. The hemp flower program now joins ASTM’s various other accredited programs, with its scope covering measurement of:

• Cannabinoids
• Terpenes
• Pesticides
• Metals
• Mycotoxins
• Moisture, and
• Water Activity

The Hemp Flower PTP is conducted three times annually, offering labs their test results in as little as 6 weeks. It provides labs with a statistical quality assurance tool, helping them to assess their performance in the use of ASTM methods compared to other labs worldwide.

“In states where cannabis is legal, most regulators require participation in a proficiency testing program either directly or through mandates that the laboratory attain ISO 17025 accreditation. Additionally, many states require that PT providers be ISO 17043-accredited and request that results be submitted directly to the regulatory agency,” says Chris McCullough, general manager of program development for ASTM Laboratory Services. “With this accreditation and ASTM’s sophisticated PTP2 Application for managing and submitting data, laboratories can rely on the ASTM Hemp Flower Proficiency Test Program to improve their quality and efficiency and meet these regulatory mandates.”

Each lab receives 25 g of ground hemp flower for testing. Test instructions and data report forms are sent electronically to each participant on the same date samples are distributed, at which point labs have 8 weeks to submit test data. All data and results are coded to maintain lab confidentiality.

For full information on the program, please visit: https://www.astm.org/ptphfl2024.html.

To learn more about cannabis committee participation and membership, visit www.astmcannabis.org.

ASTM International is a not-for-profit nongovernmental organization that develops voluntary consensus standards and defers to appropriate government authorities to determine the legal and regulatory framework regarding the control and use of cannabis.

Media Inquiries: Gavin O’Reilly, tel +1.610.832.9618; goreilly@astm.org
Committee Contact: Angelique Fontenot, afontenot@atm.org, tel +1.610.832.8748

Release #11839

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