So much press lately about lab integrity, it’s surprising that it took this long to get into the hands of mainstream media. At SC Labs, we do many things that are not strictly required by ISO, but improve our science and/or customer experience include the following:
- Weekly anonymous sample resubmissions.
Once a week, our Quality Assurance (QA) department will collect one flower, one concentrate, and one infused product from retention that has already been fully tested. We resubmit these to the lab for testing under a dummy client account and then compare the results to the originally tested samples.
We also test a known sample of each matrix weekly to ensure our results are consistent.
- The DCC requires passing all assays once a year but participating in proficiency tests (PTs) twice a year. We participate in PTs for certain compliance assays twice a year.
It is a requirement of the CDPHE, which the Santa Cruz lab is also accredited through, to participate PTs for each assay twice a year. Therefore, assays that are applicable to both regulations will receive two proficiency tests a year, much beyond the requirement of the DCC.
- Weekly cannabinoid LOQ checks and high-spike checks.
Once a week, we run a check standard with cannabinoid concentrations near our LOQ on each HPLC-DAD currently in use. We also do this for the high end of the calibration curve. This ensures consistency across all instruments.
- Routine personnel audits.
Our QA leaders will routinely sit down with a member of the production team and conduct a mock audit. This includes witnessing the employee conduct a procedure in the laboratory while questioning them about the SOP.
- Always Reporting Measurement Uncertainty on the COA.
We, and most of our more sophisticated clients, think it’s crucial information that should be presented with all test results regardless of whether it’s required or not.
- Participation in trade associations and working groups to further the efficacy of the lab testing industry in general.