Frequently Asked Questions
PhytoVista Laboratories offers analytical testing for cannabinoid profiles, terpenes, stability testing and authenticity. You can find answers to some of our frequently asked questions below, or get in touch for more information.
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We ask all new customers to complete an account set up form which, on request, we will send via email. We’ll then despatch our welcome pack which includes specific containers for differing product types and full information on how to use. Existing customers simply complete the analytical request form, email to us and let us know when to expect your physical samples. Our laboratory address is PhytoVista Laboratories, The Grey Building, Stubbs Lane, Beckington BA11 6TE.
Turnaround time is dependent on the analysis required, but generally falls between 2-10 working days from the receipt of sample. Please get in contact for more information.
PhytoVista is a UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 20213. PhytoVista Laboratories’ accredited cannabinoid testing is currently available for CBD oils, beverages, powders, concentrates, supplements, cosmetics, gummy sweets and chocolate. UKAS is the national accreditation body for the United Kingdom. ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation covers the General Requirements for Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
Accreditation is the process by which laboratories are evaluated by UKAS (the United Kingdom Accreditation Service), against an internationally harmonised criteria for quality, accuracy, reliability, and efficiency. ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation signifies that a laboratory has successfully completed the ISO17025 audit process and its focus on continuous improvement. The accreditation process is designed to ensure that laboratories provide reliable test results, while minimising the prevalence of testing errors. Accreditation gives a customer reassurance that they are choosing a credible lab with a focus on quality.
We issue an invoice to customers upon receipt of sample, and payment is then made via bank transfer. Please note we can only send test results upon receipt of payment.
We can issue invoices in GBP and Euro.
Minimum sample requirements are dependent on the analysis and sample matrix, please enquire for more information.
Before you submit your sample for testing, you will be told the minimum sample requirement for your sample matrix/ required tests. We cannot begin analysis unless we have the minimum sample requirement. If we don’t receive enough sample to proceed to testing, the sample will be placed on hold and we will contact you asking to supply us with more.
Each sample container should be labelled with the product description and batch number. They should come accompanied by the request form, or with clear information on who the authorised sample submission person/ company is. Please make sure your sample is large enough to be representative of the product or ingredients you are testing. If you are sampling a bulk material, avoid taking a sub-sample from off the top or bottom. Mix well before sampling. All samples are held for between one and three months after results are reported.
We can offer help interpreting the certificates of analysis and test results. As a Food Business Operator you should be aware of your statutory responsibilities. Consultancy of this nature is outside of the scope of that currently offered.
To update your account details with us, you may request a new account form via email and we can then update your details on the system.
When we receive your samples, we send out a sample receipt confirmation email which details your chosen tests, your sample description, batch number and your due date for tests results. If you want to make any amendments to your order, this is the best time to contact us. If you want to add a test, you can do so at any time. We may contact you asking for extra sample material if we do not hold enough in house.
Our cannabinoid analysis is performed according to specifications detailed in the Cannabinoid Analysis Info Sheet, which can be sent on request. For compliance reasons, results are reported down to the Limit of Quantification (LOQ).
Sample categories have been matched with industry accepted standard reporting units to give customers the most meaningful results for their products. Our standard method of reporting is mg/product with the option to have additional reports in percentage w/w or µg per serving at no extra cost.
Cannabis is a Class B controlled drug under Part II, Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA 1971). It is also listed in Schedule 1 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (MDR 2001). CBD as an isolated substance, in its pure form, would not be controlled under MDA 1971 / MDR 2001. If a CBD product contains any controlled cannabinoids, unintentionally or otherwise (e.g. THC or THC-V), then it is highly likely that the product would be controlled. For a CBD and other cannabinoid products to be lawfully available for human consumption, it needs to either meet the Exempted Product Criteria in Regulation 2 of the MDR 2001 or the definition of a CBPM in Schedule 2 to the MDR 2001 for its possession to be lawful. The Regulation 2 of the MDR 2001 provides that some products may be considered “exempt” from control, if “no one component part of the product or preparation contains more than one milligram of the controlled drug”. It is Home Office view that the applicable unit of measure for the “1 mg threshold” is that of the “container” (bottle or packet) and not the typical dose of any product. In this respect, we ask all our customers to meet the criteria of an exempted product, by ticking all three limbs set out in the Account Form.
We welcome your questions or comments regarding any service provided. We value your input and we strive to meet our valued customers needs.
You can get in touch by email to info@phytovistalabs.com or phone on +44 (0) 20 4526 5675
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