Whether you’re a cannabis producer that is buying paper accessories for pre-rolls; or a distributor or manufacturer of cones, filters, and rolling papers; you are probably aware that your paper products should be tested against Health Canada’s requirements.
Batch testing of paper products performed by a validated, licensed lab is an important part of vendor qualification and due diligence with your supplier. Producers must trust that their final product is safe before it hits the market. Distributors or suppliers of paper products should send their products for regular batch testing. This will help them pinpoint and fix process problems, and ensure the product meets Health Canada’s cannabis regulations. Keep in mind many paper products are manufactured outside of North America, where Health Canada’s limits do not apply. Not testing your paper products could prevent your final product from reaching regulated cannabis consumers. In addition to peace of mind, obtaining a COA could be your key to getting a big distribution deal. A COA, or Certificate of Analysis, verifies that your product has been tested in accordance with Health Canada’s regulations by a verified, licensed lab. As a distributor or manufacturer of rolling papers, you are far more likely to make a big distribution deal if you have a COA in your hand
At this point you might be asking, “what exactly am I testing for?” A good place to start would be asking your buyer what they would like to see for testing, and which specifications they would like the lab to use.
We would strongly suggest testing for the 96 pesticides and 4 heavy metals specified by Health Canada as these are dangerous for human consumption. Though it is unlikely to show up in paper, you may also consider testing for Aflatoxin (toxins produced by certain fungi.) Micro testing your paper is an excellent way to reveal issues in your manufacturing or packaging process. In the event of a failure, your lab can discuss likely sources of contamination with you. Whether it’s an issue with your facility, training, equipment or environment, you will have the opportunity to learn and improve your process.
If you have a result that is over the limit on a product that contains a filter, you may want to consider testing the filter and paper separately as part of your investigation, since filters and paper are often not manufactured in the same facility. This could help you narrow down where the issue is coming from.
You should also be aware of specifications and methods which, I know, sound annoyingly scientific, but bear with me. Understanding the intended use of your product will help you decide what specifications you will request from the lab. Our knowledgeable sales team would be happy to provide the info you need to make the best decisions for your company's needs and goals.
Finally, you might be wondering how often you need to test. If you are the distributor, it’s a good idea to test every lot. Passing testing is a good indication that your process is working well, so you can consider tapering off testing as your trending data stays positive. If you don’t pass, identify and fix problems, then continue testing until you have a good track record of successful batch tests. This is your reputation and your buyers will thank you by continuing to buy your product.
Keystone Labs would love to be part of your testing journey, and guide you through your paper accessories testing process. The Keystone team will help you navigate the documentation, specifications and identify source problems if you have a result over the limit. Head over to Connect and send us a message to get started!
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