Running a Cannabis Testing Lab? The Roadmap to Prep for an ISO 17025 Audit Starts with a LIMS

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is an international accreditation used to standardize the practices of cannabis testing laboratories. ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation adds credibility to cannabis testing laboratories and assures the reliability of test results reported by them. Some of the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 compliance are as follows.

Structural Requirements: Cannabis testing laboratories must define their management structure and document all activities for which it claims conformity to the standard.

Resource Requirements: Cannabis testing laboratories must ensure proper training of analysts and documentation of the training records.

Process requirements: Cannabis testing facilities must record all data related to test method validation, including the validation procedure, validation results, and a statement on the validity of the method for the intended use.

Management Requirements: The management requirements include controlling documents and tracking their revision history, addressing customer complaints, and documenting corrective and preventive actions taken.

Role of a Cannabis LIMS in Achieving ISO/IEC 17025 Compliance

An informatics solution, such as a cannabis LIMS, can help laboratories in complying with several requirements of ISO 17025 compliance. It helps track every gram of each sample from seed to sale. A cannabis LIMS helps manage all internal and external documents. It maintains training records of analysts and helps assign analytical tasks only to the competent staff. A LIMS helps schedule equipment calibration, records calibration and maintenance data, and prevents the use of outdated instruments.

A LIMS can be integrated with analytical instruments for bi-directional data transfer, ensuring data integrity and reducing turnaround time. A cannabis LIMS helps in generating CoAs as per customer and state requirements. A LIMS brings in standardization, efficiency, and enables third-party cannabis testing laboratories to stay ahead of the curve.

Learning Objectives:

1. An overview of the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard and the various requirements of the standard

2. The role of a LIMS in prepping cannabis testing laboratories for audits