AOAC INTERNATIONAL’s ISO 17043 Accreditation Expanded to Cannabis and Hemp Oil Proficiency Testing

In a November 26, 2024, press release, AOAC INTERNATIONAL announced it has expanded its ISO/IEC 17043 accreditation to include six cannabis and hemp oil proficiency testing (PT) programs (1). Two cannabis dried flower/biomass programs (pesticide residues and mycotoxins) were also included in the approval. This is the first oil PT program able to ship >0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil samples across state lines. The available samples include: <0.3% THC hemp oil and >0.3% THC cannabis oil for cannabinoids, terpenes, water activity, heavy metals, pesticide residues, residual solvents, and mycotoxins.

The proficiency testing programs were accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), one of the largest accreditation bodies worldwide. A2LA offers a full range of comprehensive conformity assessment accreditation services.

“This is a huge accomplishment to have these, first of their kind, PT programs covered by accreditation,” stated Shane Flynn, AOAC’s Senior Director of Laboratory Proficiency Testing, in the press release.

According to their website, some of the features AOAC ISO 17043 accredited PT programs offer analytical laboratories include (2):

• Independent assessment of a lab’s data accuracy and reliability
• Comprehensive testing programs offering a wide array of analytes and matrices
• High quality, homogeneous, stable testing samples that arrive ready to analyze, like routine samples

Founded in 1884, AOAC is a non-profit membership association that “brings together government, industry, and academia to establish standard methods of analysis that ensure the safety and integrity of foods and other products that impact public health around the world,” (1).

Laboratories are now able to enroll in the next AOAC Cannabis/Hemp Oil Proficiency Testing Program, which will be shipped in early December 2024.

References

1. AOAC INTERNATIONAL. AOAC is Now Accredited for Cannabis and Hemp Oil PT https://www.aoac.org/news/aoac-is-now-accredited-for-cannabis-and-hemp-oil-pt/ (accessed Nov 27, 2024).
2. AOAC INTERNATIONAL. Proficiency Testing Program https://www.aoac.org/scientific-solutions/proficiency-testing/ (accessed Nov 27, 2024).