AOAC Research Institute grants first reviewed and recognized certification for cannabis potency testing

Rockville, Maryland, October 26, 2022— The AOAC Research Institute granted its first-ever Reviewed and Recognized^SM (R²) certificate to Viridis Laboratories for the LOM 7.1c Cannabinoid Analysis in Flower method using an Ultra-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with a Diode Array Detector (DAD), LOM 7.1c Cannabinoid Analysis in Flower by UHPLC-DAD.

“We are pleased to announce that Viridis Laboratories is the first company to complete our rigorous R² program verifying the performance claims of the method,” said Scott Coates, AOAC Research Institute Senior Director. “Viridis has demonstrated a high degree of scientific and analytical excellence.”

The method underwent an extensive evaluation process that involved several rounds of reporting and review, along with rigorous testing from an independent third-party laboratory and third-party scientific review panel in order to be the first-ever company to complete the R² program.

The AOAC Research Institute is a division of AOAC INTERNATIONAL and is an independent third-party organization that sets standards for testing methods for food safety and other products impacting public health, including cannabis. The R² program is a new AOAC service developed to meet the needs of the analytical science community. All R²-certified methods are evaluated for accuracy, repeatability, limit of detection, and selectivity. Only methods that meet specified criteria are granted R² status. Certificates and certification reports are posted for public access on the AOAC website.

AOAC also operates the internationally renowned Cannabis Analytical Science Program (CASP). The CASP program developed the Standard Methods Performance Requirements^® (SMPR^®) which prescribes the acceptance criteria for evaluating cannabis potency methods.

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About AOAC INTERNATIONAL

AOAC INTERNATIONAL is a globally recognized, 501(c)(3), independent, third party, not-for-profit association and voluntary consensus standards developing organization founded in 1884. When analytical needs arise within a community or industry, AOAC INTERNATIONAL is the forum for finding appropriate science-based solutions through the development of microbiological and chemical standards. The AOAC Official Methods of Analysis^SM database is used by food scientists around the world to facilitate public health and safety and to promote trade. For more information, please visit AOAC.org.