A novel standard that defines labelling requirements for consumer products containing cannabinoids was recently approved by ASTM International’s cannabis committee (D37), which is currently making substantial progress in the cannabis business.
ASTM cannabinoids labelling overview
ASTM stands for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). It is an international standards body that develops and spreads voluntary consensus technical standards for a variety of materials, products, systems, and services.
The D8449 standard is the first worldwide list of requirements for the label content of cannabis products.
Darwin Millard, an ASTM member and advocate of standardised labelling, underlines the benefit of this standard. It achieves a number of important goals. Firstly, there finally are requirements for making and validating claims about cannabinoid potency and ratios. Moreover, thanks to the standards, companies will be able to define a product containing cannabinoids. Thanks to the standard, the market can establish guidelines for declaring cannabinoid content on labels. What is more, laboratories can offer a standardised method for verifying label claims regarding cannabinoid content.
Why is this ASTM labelling standard important?
Many people involved in the cannabis sector stand to gain from this standard. Producers will find it essential for creating compliant labels because it clearly specifies the necessary components and the best way to present them. The standard can be useful for regulators to create new label content standards and to update current ones. The consistency of label content across countries will also benefit customers.
Customers of cannabis products are guaranteed to receive consistent information in a familiar format thanks to the consistency given by the standardised labelling criteria. In order for consumers to make educated purchasing decisions and ultimately increase their safety and confidence, consistency is essential. Darwin Millard emphasises the significance of this development in encouraging sensible consumption and protecting the well-being of consumers.
The committee will commit to continuous improvement in order to ensure the standard’s continued relevance and usefulness. They actively welcome suggestions and criticism from authorities, businesses, and customers everywhere. The committee seeks to adapt the standard to the rapidly changing cannabis business. They want to involve stakeholders in a continual process, ensuring that it remains an important resource for all.
In conclusion, the introduction of ASTM International’s labeling requirements for cannabinoid products marks an important turning point for the cannabis business. With the introduction of the standard (D8449), manufacturers may now generate compliant labels. Moreover, authorities can establish and revise content laws. Eventually, customers can make decisions based on reliable data. The standard will continue to be applicable and efficient in a rapidly developing sector.