Why Is CBD Third-Party Testing and Certification So Important?
Certification and independent third-party testing of CBD
products is of utmost importance as CBD is an emerging product and there is a
current lack of FDA guidance and regulation in the industry. As with any product you put in your body, you
want as much information about the product before you consume it.
Many products on the market today, especially those that may be found at gas stations or convenience stores, are not tested, or certified to any standard. It is best to stick to products that are found in pharmacies, doctor offices, quality online brands or stores, or even health spas as these products tend to come from more reputable sources and manufacturers. Quality CBD products will generally carry on their label multiple certification badges and a QR code. Once scanned, the QR code links to a Certificate of Analysis (COA) that was generated by an independent third-party testing laboratory. These types of products typically have high purity and potency that are hallmarks of quality CBD oil products.
Third Party Testing:
Not all CBD products are the same. Reputable manufacturers will send out their products to an independent laboratory that is not affiliated with the manufacturer. This independent analysis carries weight as the results are based solely on scientific measurements of different aspects of the product including:
- Potency
- Purity
- Pesticides
- Heavy metals
- Mold/Mildew
- Cannabinoid content
- And many other measurements
A savvy consumer will typically avoid any CBD product that is not tested by an independent laboratory. Products that are not tested could be easily misrepresented on the label such as listing a higher CBD content, or worse yet, not reporting the existence of heavy metals or pesticides in your product. In summary, if a product is not tested, then you really do not know what you are getting with your CBD oil purchase.
CBD Products Certifications
Certifications are also an important trait of a quality CBD product. Certifications such as Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), ISO9001, Vegan, Kosher, Pesticide Free, and many others are important as you know your products are produced to a standard.
A consumer usually cannot detect (through smell, touch, or sight) that a product is safe for consumption. While GMP requires testing, testing alone is not adequate to ensure quality. In most instances testing is done on a small sample of a batch (for example, a drug manufacturer may test 100 tablets from a batch that contains 2 million tablets), so that most of the batch can be used for patients rather than destroyed by testing. Therefore, it is important that ingestible products are manufactured under conditions and practices required by the GMP regulations to assure that quality is built into the design and manufacturing process at every step. Facilities that are in good condition, equipment that is properly maintained and calibrated, employees who are qualified and fully trained, and processes that are reliable and reproducible, are a few examples of how GMP requirements help to assure the safety of ingestible products.
Summary
Look for products come from organically grown hemp (pesticide free) and are produced in a food quality GMP certified facility. Following ISO 9001 manufacturing processes add additional insurance that your product will be consistent from purchase to purchase.
By: Shawn Sutton