Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

Which cannabinoids are you testing for?

CBD:
Cannabidiol
CBDA:
Cannabidiolic acid
Δ8-THC:
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol
Δ9-THC:
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
THCA:
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid
CBG:
Cannabigerol
CBGA:
Cannabigerolic acid
CBC:
Cannabichromene
CBN:
Cannabinol
THCV:
Tetrahydrocannabivarin
CBDV:
Cannabidivarin
CBDVA:
Cannabidivarinic acid

How do I send in my samples?

  • You can send us your sample using our CannaCheck-Box. By purchasing the box you have already paid for the analysis and can use it to send in your sample comfortably by mail.

Examples

  1. Put flowers and plant parts directly into the transport bag.
  2. Put only one (1) sample into a transport bag
  3. Fill liquid samples (oils, extracts, …) as well as powdered samples (isolates, pollinate) into a 5 ml SafeSeal vial.

Do I have to use the barcoded transport bags for sending samples?

Yes, without exception. This ensures a faster assignment of samples and reduces the risk of mix-ups.

What happens if I send in samples without your transport bags?

We reserve the right to charge a handling fee of EUR 2.50 for each sample that does not reach us in one of our barcoded transport bags.

Which sample materials can I send in?

Plant parts:
flowers, leaves, stems, seeds, pollinate, resin
Liquid samples:
oils, extracts, tinctures, water-solubles, samples dissolved in DMSO, MCT oils, etc.
Beverages:
tea, coffee, energy drinks, beer, gin, vodka, wine, etc.
Cosmetics:
creams, lotions, balms, etc.
Food items:
gums, chocolate, honey, etc.
Other:
isolates, edible oils meeting BfR requirements

Please let us know in advance if one or more of the following ingredients are contained in your sample(s):

  • sugar
  • starch
  • glucose
  • lime (CaO)
  • gum arabic
  • strong acids
  • strong bases

How much material do I have to send in?

Dry plant parts:
at least 2g
Moist plant parts:
at least 6g
Oils, extracts, isolates, tinctures, e-liquids, etc.:
at least 3g or 3ml

To prepare a maximally informative certificate of analysis in our lab, we homogenize the samples; it is, therefore, important that you collect a sample quantity that is as representative as possible of the existing total quantity (e.g. a production batch).

When will I get my certificate of analysis?

After we receive the sample, we will need about 2 to 4 working days for analysis.

What does a certificate of analysis of the Institut für Hanfanalytik look like?

Here you can find examples of certificates of analysis:

What does M.U. mean?

M.U. is the abbreviation of measurement uncertainty. This parameter describes the statistical dispersion of the values attributed to a measured quantity.

Why is my result for isolates >98 %?

Due to the high concentration in this sample material, the measurement uncertainty also increases to ~5%. The actual value may, therefore, deviate by this percentage in both directions. This is why we cannot reliably provide a more exact value than 98%.

How do I calculate the T-THC and T-CBD sums?

For the calculation of the equivalent sums, the relevant acid forms are multiplied by the factors 0.877 and 0.878, respectively, in order to deduce the corresponding quantity of the neutral form:

  • To express the Total CBD (T-CBD) of a sample, we calculate the sum of CBD + 0.877 * CBDA.
  • To express the Total THC (T-THC) of a sample, we calculate the sum of THC + 0,877 * THCA.

Is it possible to modify the terms on my certificate, after I have received it?

Invariably, we do not perform any modifications on certificates of analysis once analysis has been completed. Exceptions are typing errors, transposed numbers, or errors that have, demonstrably, been caused by us.

What do the percentages refer to?

The percentages refer to the sample that has been sent in. If the sample is representative of a production batch, the percentage distribution of the contents for the complete production batch may be inferred.

  • Example A:
    • 10 liters of CBD oil are mixed. A 5 ml sample is sent to the lab. Analysis shows a CBD content of 7.5 % CBD. If the sample has been collected properly, we may conclude that the total of 10 liters CBD oil has a CBD content of 7.5 % CBD.
  • Example B:
    • An indoor plantation produces 50 kg of CBD flowers. 30 grams of selected flowers are sent to the lab. Analysis shows a CBD content of 7.5 % CBD. If the sample has been collected properly, we may conclude that the total production of 50 kg flowers has a CBD content of 7.5 % (=3.75 kg).

In plants, what is the approximate ratio of CBD to THC?

After several thousand analyses, we have not yet seen a variety with a higher CBD to THC ratio than 33 : 1.

How can I make sure that the certificate of analysis has not been forged?

If there is any doubt about the authenticity of one of our certificates of analysis, please send us the scanned document by e-mail. We will contact you and, if necessary, initiate further steps.

May I change a certificate of analysis myself?

No, any modification, alteration or reproduction, in parts or as a whole, constitutes an act of falsification of documents according to § 223 StGB (Austrian Criminal Code) and will be reported to the respective authorities.

Is the Institut für Hanfanalytik accredited or certified?

The Institut für Hanfanalytik is a laboratory certified according to ISO 9001:2015. The scope of the certification lies in the spezialisation on drug analysis as well as the testing of hemp, CBD and cannabis products. The respective certificate is available for download here. The process to become an accredited testing laboratory according to ÖVE/ÖNORM ISO/IEC 17025 is still ongoing.

Since we are not subject to any reporting obligation, we will dispose of the sample after analysis has been completed and not retain a sample.

Which terpenes can you determine?

Our terpene profile includes the following terpenes:

  • Myrcene
  • Pinene
  • Limonene
  • Citronellol
  • Linalool
  • β-Caryophyllene
  • Caryophyllene-Oxide
  • α-Humulene
  • Eucalyptol
  • Terpinolene
  • Fenchol
  • Fenchone
  • Geraniol
  • Ocimene
  • (-)-Guaiol
  • α-Bisabolol
  • Nerolidol
  • α-Cedrene
  • Pulegone
  • Geranyl acetate
  • (+)-Cedrol
  • α-Terpinene
  • γ-Terpinene
  • Camphene
  • Camphor
  • para-Cymene
  • δ-3-Carene
  • Isopulegol
  • Isoborneol

Here, we have compiled a detailed overview of the terpenes we are measuring, including a short description.

How long does it take to get a terpene certificate?

We need about 5 to 7 working days for terpene analysis.

Where do I find my customer number?

The first 3 digits of the barcodes on the transport bags are also your customer number.

May I put my oils in their original packaging (including outer carton) in your transport bags?

Of course, in this case we will also make a picture of the outer carton for the certificate of analysis.

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