The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (The ACI) has outlined plans for a new three-tier certification programme designed to successively progress CBD manufacturers and brands to Novel Foods rules compliance.
The launch of the ACI Safety Certification programme earlier this week came exactly one year before the FSA’s new safety regulations come into force (31 March 202). In February, the UK’s Food standards Agency confirmed that after this date only products which have submitted a valid novel food application will be allowed to remain on the market.
Three-tier scheme comprises:
Tier 1 – Certified An ACI member has proven to comply with The ACI’s 7 pillar charter. This means that it has passed an audit, from The ACI, verifying it has a quality management system in place that ensures it operate to best manufacturing standards. Companies are expected to start displaying this mark on their products by the end of the summer 2020
Tier 2 – Validated To gain The ACI Validation a company must have its Novel Foods application validated by the FSA (Food Standards Agency) and/or EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). This is a legal requirement to keep products on the market in the UK after 31st March 2021. The first companies should gain this level by the end of 2020.
Tier 3 – Authorised This Certification will be granted when a company has had its Novel Foods application authorised by the FSA and/or EFSA. The ACI will support its members throughout this process. This will be subject to annual review.
The ACI says its new certification will rebuild trust in a sector whose reputation has been damaged by serious quality and safety shortcomings in parts of the industry.
Commenting on the new scheme, Dr Andy Yates, pharmacy lead at the ACI, said: “It’s been clear that retailers and consumers don’t have complete faith in CBD products that are currently for sale in the UK. The ACI’s Certification is a simple way for retailers and consumers to be sure that the CBD products they are stocking or buying are complying with or working towards all of the relevant regulations.”
Regulatory lead, Dr Parveen Bhatarah, added: “The UK has the necessary skill sets and talent in chemistry, agriculture, international business, and the regulatory requirements of the cannabinoid industry. Especially when it comes to CBD, we have the knowledge needed, from growing, to extraction and creating finished formulations. Consumer safety is the key for the CBD sector. The UK is ready to lead the global CBD industry.”
Main image: Smomi Malik, development director of the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry, speaking at the ACI’s launch event in November 2019. ACI, via facebook.