ASTM Approves New Cannabis Label Standard

The leading US testing standards organization ASTM International has approved a new standard that defines labeling specifications for cannabinoid products.

In a notice published on April 20, ASTM’s D37 committee said that the new standard will help define:

• specifications for what can and cannot be classified as a consumer product containing cannabinoids.
• the concept of a declaration of cannabinoids and how to present this information on a label.
• a standard means of verifying cannabinoid content label claims.
• the specifications for making a cannabinoid dominance claim and how to verify this claim.
• the specifications for making a cannabinoid ratio claim and how to verify this claim.

Darwin Millard, a prominent member of ASTM’s D37 committee, said that the new standard is the first set of internationally harmonized label content specifications for consumer products containing cannabinoids to be published anywhere in the world.

“Having the same information presented in the same manner across jurisdictions means consumers of products containing cannabinoids will have consistent information conveyed to them in a way they are familiar with,” he said in a statement.

“This ensures consumers have the information they need to make an informed purchase decision, and will ultimately lead to increased consumer safety and confidence.”

Indeed, the standard was intentionally designed to fit the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #12 on responsible consumption and production.

Millard notes that the D37 committee plans to engage in continuous improvement of the new standard, and invites all interested parties to join them.

“We welcome regulators, producers, and consumers from around the world to give us feedback,” he said.

“This is intended to be a living document to remain relevant throughout this ever-changing landscape.”