After the USDA issued its hemp potency testing rules, various states enacted their own hemp programs to ensure consumer safety. Florida, New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Utah issued testing requirements that are more comprehensive than the USDA’s mandates. Hemp brands must ensure their products meet every state rule to remain compliant nationwide.
ACS Laboratory’s National Compliance Panel was built to meet every requirement, ensuring multi-state hemp operators can legally and safely sell high-quality products across the country.
How We Created
the Panel
Step
1
Research
We conducted intense research led by ACS Principal Scientist and Laboratory Director Dr. Aixia Sun, combing through the fine print of every state’s hemp rules and regulations. Our due diligence lasted several months, covering sampling, THC potency, cannabinoids, terpenes, residual solvents, pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Step
2
Create compliance matrix
Using our detailed research, we compared the mandates from each state to create elaborate matrices of every testing category. We extracted the strictest requirements for every class to devise the National Hemp Testing Panel.
Step
3
Update method where needed
After reviewing the maximum allowable limits for various contaminants, we updated our methods and invested in new, highly sensitive instrumentation that could detect the lowest possible levels–up to 10 parts per billion for specific analytes.
National Panel Tests
01
Cannabinoid Potency
Potency testing measures the cannabinoids present in each hemp sample and the strength of those compounds. We test for 18 cannabinoids to account for every state mandate and beyond.
02
Pesticides
Before launching the National Hemp Testing Panel, we followed Florida's strict national rules, testing for 67 pesticides using the most sensitive Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) equipment. However, recent new requirements from Colorado and California increased our pesticide total to 105.
03
Residual Solvents
Covering every state rule nationwide ensures the cleanest possible hemp-extracted products. Our National Hemp Testing Panel scans for 55 potential residual solvents.
04
Heavy Metals
At the request of many clients, we already follow the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines for pharmaceutical-grade products, which ban 21 heavy metals above a specific action limit and ensure products are safe to consume. Our research into state requirements for the National Hemp Testing Panel added three more heavy metals, bringing the total to 24.
05
Microbiology and Mycotoxins
Before launching the National Panel, we tested for every mycotoxin contaminant required nationwide. However, we revised the action limits to the lowest levels, detecting parts per billion. Our National Panel tests 18 different microorganisms, including salmonella, E. coli, Aspergillus contaminants, and listeria.
06
Moisture and Water Activity
Although most states don’t require moisture and water activity testing, these analyses are critical. Plants with high moisture levels are more likely to develop fungi, mold, and bacteria that can impact product quality and safety.
07
Terpene Potency
Terpene testing can help brands enhance cannabis marketing and educate consumers on product benefits. Our National Hemp Testing Panel includes optional terpenes potency testing. We test for 38 different terpenes.
08
Flavonoid Potency
Flavonoid testing can help brands enhance cannabis marketing and educate consumers on product benefits. Our National Hemp Testing Panel includes optional flavonoid potency testing for 16 different flavonoids.
Why National Compliance Matters
National Compliance Testing ensures products pass the most stringent requirements nationwide, which reduces liability risks and expands market opportunities. USDA and state guidelines require cannabis operators to test all products for potency at a minimum. However, several states go beyond federal compliance standards.
How Accurate Are the Results
ACS is rated in the top 5% in the U.S. for hemp and cannabis testing. In the last two years, ACS received 81 badges for excellence from the Emerald Test, a nationwide Inter-Laboratory Comparison test in 2019-2022. Our methods are proven, and we guarantee precision.
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