How to improve your cannabis lab with ISO 17025 certification

Management Solutions Group (MSG) has been working with cannabis labs for a number of years and can provide guidance, training, and management system development.

If you are ready to take the step toward certification, contact us.

Improving your cannabis lab through ISO/IEC 17025 certification involves an approach that ensures compliance with the standard's requirements. This standard is designed to verify the competence of testing laboratories.

MSG has developed these key steps to enhance your lab based on the ISO/IEC 17025 standard:

1. Understand ISO/IEC 17025 Requirements

• General Competence: The standard requires labs to demonstrate impartiality, consistency, and technical competence in operations.
• Specific to Cannabis: For cannabis testing, this includes accurate testing for cannabinoids, pesticides, microbiology, residual solvents, and water activity.

2. Implement a Quality Management System (QMS)

• Documentation: Develop comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality manuals, and keep records for all lab activities.
• Quality Control: Establish quality control measures, including internal audits, to ensure ongoing compliance and operational improvements.
• The professionals at Management Solutions Group are expert at developing a comprehensive Quality Management System. 

3. Staff Training and Competence

• Hiring: Focus on personnel with backgrounds in regulated lab environments or science degrees.
• Training: Regular training sessions to ensure staff understand and follow ISO/IEC 17025 protocols, including method validation, equipment calibration, and data handling.
• MSG has developed training programs for your personnel on the ISO 17025 standard.

4. Equipment and Calibration

• Calibration: Ensure all testing equipment is regularly calibrated, and records are maintained to prove your methods are being followed and are traceable.
• Maintenance: Implement a maintenance schedule to keep equipment in optimal condition.

5. Method Validation and Verification

• Validation: For each testing method, validate it through studies that include accuracy, precision, and reproducibility, especially for cannabis testing parameters.
• Proficiency Testing: Participate in proficiency testing schemes to compare your lab's results with others, ensuring your methods are aligned with industry standards.

6. Accreditation Preparation

• Gap Analysis: Contact MSG to conduct an internal audit and perform a gap analysis against ISO/IEC 17025 requirements to identify areas needing improvement.
• Mock Audits: Perform mock inspections to prepare for the real accreditation audit, focusing on document control, lab practices, and staff readiness.

7. Software and IT Systems

• LIMS: A Laboratory Information Management System can streamline compliance, manage documents, track samples, and ensure data integrity.
• Cybersecurity: Given the sensitive nature of lab data, implement strong cybersecurity measures to protect against unauthorized access.
• Consider implementing the ISO 27001 to improve you Cybersecurity – yes MSG can help.

8. Continuous Improvement

• Risk Management: Adopt a risk-based approach to manage potential issues proactively.
• Feedback Loop: Use customer feedback, audit results, and internal reviews to continuously improve lab processes.

9. Regulatory Compliance

• State Regulations: Ensure compliance with state-specific regulations in addition to ISO/IEC 17025, as many states mandate this accreditation for cannabis labs.
• Stay Updated: Keep abreast of any changes in ISO standards or local laws affecting cannabis testing.

10. Marketing and Credibility

• Leverage Accreditation: Use ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation as a marketing tool to build trust with clients, demonstrating your commitment to quality and safety.

After addressing these areas, your testing lab will comply with ISO/IEC 17025 and it will improve your operation’s efficiency, data reliability, and market position. Remember, certification is both an achievement and a commitment to continuous quality improvement.