CBD Testing

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound found in Cannabis sativa plants.

Compared with other plant extracts, the level of interest in CBD is growing exponentially faster. Health and beauty industries are attracted to this new market opportunity and want to meet consumers’ expectation and regulatory requirements on safety and effectiveness.

The CBD that is used in consumer products is mainly extracted from Cannabis flower and leaves, but it can also be produced by chemical synthesis.

According to a study by Technario, published on businesswire.com, the sector of CBD cosmetics products will grow by 31% annually over the 2020-2024 period and will be worth $3.09 billion by the end of the period. Cannabidiol is particularly prevalent in skincare products, and market research company Million Insights expects it to be worth €1.7 billion by 2026.

Regulatory framework

US: In US, the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA); this means that cannabis plants and derivatives that contain no more than 0.3 % THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive constituent) on a dry weight basis are no longer controlled substances under federal law. Even if a CBD product meets the definition of "hemp" under the 2018 Farm Bill, it still must comply with all other applicable laws, including the FD&C Act. No ingredient, including a cannabis or cannabis-derived ingredient, can be used in a cosmetic if it causes the product to be adulterated or misbranded in any way.

EU: As of 1 February 2021, the European Union officially recognizes CBD derived from cannabis extract or tincture or resin among the ingredients used by the cosmetics industry and included in the CosIng, the reference database for cosmetic ingredients for countries in the European Union.

According to the EC Regulations 1307/2013 and 1308/2013, cannabis can be legally cultivated if the tetrahydrocannabinol content of cultivated varieties does not exceed 0.2%.  In this scope it is only permitted to cultivate certified seed of certain hemp varieties. On 23 October 2020, the EU parliament voted to increase the limit of THC from 0.2% to 0.3%. The new measure will become effective from 2023 to 2027.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is evaluating CBD as novel food trying to acquire information for data gaps and uncertainties.

The regulatory framework is everyday evolving and stay up to date is the best way to always ensure the compliance of your products and do not encounter penalties fee.

Why choose Eurofins?

Companies decide to move forward with CBD will need to ensure the product is classified as safe for use and that there are no misleading/false claims.

To this aim, Eurofins Cosmetics and Personal Care ISO certified and accredited laboratories are expert in providing one-stop-shop comprehensive solutions accessing global network of capabilities for all your safety and quality assurance needs with local service and support.

We can be your trusted partner to enter EU/US market compliance offering you:

• Consulting, regulatory and toxicological services: Toxicological risk assessment; Label review
• Analytical testing: Cannabinoid (CBC, CBL, CBD, CBDV, CBG, CBN, Delta 8-THC, Delta 9-THC); Heavy Metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, As, Ni, Sn, Cr); Mycotoxins (Ochratoxins, Aflatoxins); Pesticides (+50 analytes); Residual Solvents (+30 analytes); Allergens; Microbiological testing according to relevant ISO, USP and EP norms (microbiological count, preservation efficacy test)
• Stability study: Evaluation of appearance, color, odor, pH, density, viscosity, weight loss
• Period after opening test
• In vitro studies for safety and efficacy: Skin irritation; Skin Sensitization; Biodegradability…
• Clinical studies for safety: Patch test under clinical control; In use test under clinical control; Non-comodogenicity clinical test…
• Clinical studies for efficacy supporting cosmetics claims: Soothing; Microbiome analysis; Moisturization; Anti-inflammatory…