From inception our goal was always to obtain ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation, says Sonja Nel-Ondrejkovic, Co-Founder and CEO of EcoGreen Analytics. The journey has had its fair share of challenges, but those over time pale in comparison to the successes we’ve achieved to date.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard provides the requirements for accreditation to laboratories that do analytical testing on cannabis and cannabis-derived products. Testing cannabis products is a necessity and verifies that they are safe for consumption and free from harmful levels of contaminants and adulterants. You can be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for a variety of tests including:
A. Cannabinoid testing and content (e.g., THC, THCV, CBD, CBDV, CBG, CBC, and CBN)
B. Terpene profile
C. Pesticides, fungicides/plant growth regulators
D. Microbiological contaminants such as mold, insects, bacteria, etc.
E. Residual solvents
The key to success in any business is to understand the industry. In EcoGreen’s case it is the laboratory and what its function is in the value chain, and then to understand the sector you want to operate in. EcoGreen chose cannabis, “because of what the plant has to offer globally not only with regards to alternative health benefits but also its ability to disrupt other sectors such as fuel, textile and construction to name but a few,” says Sonja. This is very much aligned with their values, both personal as well as a business.
The nature of cannabis as a matrix is also complex and fascinating, brining an exciting challenge to EcoGreen’s highly experienced technical team. “Achieving our ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation is not purely about the success of our business, but contributing to the overall success of the industry as a whole and assisting in placing not only South Africa but also Africa’s cannabis industry on the map as a world class provider,” says Sonja.
We would like to acknowledge every business that has had the courage to enter this highly regulated, ever changing industry. “Take a moment each day to remember your vision and celebrate every win, it is where the tenacity and grit comes from to keep navigating the ever-changing waters of the cannabis industry,” says Sonja.
