Why ACS Laboratory is the Preferred Professional Testing Lab
ACS Laboratory is an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited, DEA registered, CLIA licensed, analytical, third-party, independent professional testing lab committed to accuracy and precision above all else. Brands across the cannabis, hemp, kratom, and mushroom industries choose ACS because of its reliability, innovation, and client support. ACS ensures clients deliver safe, effective, high-quality products through rigorous testing standards, cutting-edge technology, and deep scientific knowledge.
This article delves into why ACS Laboratory is the ideal professional testing lab across plant and fungi-based brands.
Trustworthiness
ACS Laboratory has built a reputation for upholding the highest standards of accuracy. From 2019 to 2022, the team received 82 Emerald Test Badges for consistent results—more than any other professional testing lab nationwide.
The Emerald Test™ is an Inter-Laboratory Comparison and Proficiency Test (ILC/PT) that sets benchmarks for the hemp and cannabis industry. It establishes standards as rigorous as those in the environmental, food, and pharmaceutical industries.
ACS Laboratory’s stellar performance year-over-year has made it a trusted partner for brands seeking guaranteed safety and efficacy.
Expertise
ACS Laboratory employs a highly skilled scientific team led by Dr. Aixia Sun, the Principal Scientist and Laboratory Director.
Dr. Sun brings over 20 years of experience in various fields, including diagnostic, environmental, pharmaceutical R&D, and clinical toxicology. Before joining ACS, she worked at prominent organizations, including Targegen, Lexicon Genetics, Neurocrine Bioscience, and Takeda San Diego. Her credentials include an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Missouri and a doctorate in Health Sciences from A.T. Still University.
Her expertise spans advanced analytical techniques such as Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Dr. Sun oversees testing method development and troubleshooting, ensuring that ACS Laboratory’s procedures remain at the forefront of scientific advancement. Her leadership and deep knowledge significantly contribute to its award-winning professional testing lab services.
Comprehensive Testing
ACS offers extensive testing panels that cater to cannabis, hemp, kratom, and mushroom products. The lab's vast offerings include:
Potency Testing:
ACS Laboratory quantifies active analytes across several plant and fungi-based verticals.
- Cannabis and Hemp: ACS measures 30 cannabinoids using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography. These include primary, minor, and alternative semi-synthetic cannabinoids.
- Kratom: ACS tests for eight kratom core alkaloids, including mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, speciogynine, and paynantheine.
- Psilocybin-containing mushroom: ACS measures ten psychedelic alkaloids, including psilocybin, psilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, and 4-hydroxy TMT.
- Amanita muscaria and Amanita pantherina: ACS tests analyze Amanita mushrooms for ibotenic acid, muscimol, and muscarine content.
Residual Solvents: ACS tests cannabis, hemp, kratom, and mushroom extracts for dangerous residual solvents using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Pesticide Screening: ACS provides sensitive pesticide screening using GCMS and HPLC Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LCMS), ensuring that all plants and finished goods test below the acceptable safety limits.
Heavy Metal Screening: ACS employs ICP-MS to detect heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, in cannabis, hemp, and mushroom products. Its kratom heavy metals test also includes nickel and manganese due to the plant’s unique susceptibility to contamination from these compounds.
Mycotoxins: ACS tests for mycotoxins, contaminants naturally occurring in molds and fungi, confirming that products are free from these harmful substances.
Microbiology Panels: ACS screens for harmful microorganisms and bacteria, helping prevent contaminants that could pose health risks to consumers.
Terpene and Flavonoid Profiling: ACS tests cannabis and hemp plants and extracts for the presence of 38 terpenes and 16 flavonoids so brands can better inform customers about their products' unique flavors, scents, and therapeutic properties.
Shelf Life and Stability Testing: ACS ensures that products maintain quality over time by testing shelf life and stability across three-, six, and twelve-month intervals.
Beverage and Edibles Testing: ACS uses advanced methods to ensure mushroom, kratom, and cannabis-infused beverages and edibles are consistent, potent, and safe.
Accreditation
ACS Laboratory holds multiple accreditations, including ISO/IEC 17025:2017, DEA licensing, and CLIA licensing. These qualifications validate its adherence to international standards and its ability to provide accurate testing and calibration results.
- The ISO/IEC 17025:2017: ACS’s ISO/EIC accreditation signifies that it meets international standards for competence in testing, sampling, and calibration.
- DEA certification: ACS is a DEA-certified lab, demonstrating its ability to test controlled substances like psilocybin compliantly.
Additionally, ACS is approved to test hemp in states that have launched their own regulatory programs, including New York, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
- Medical Marijuana Testing in Florida: ACS Laboratory is a certified medical marijuana testing facility in Florida, meeting all state requirements for safety and purity analyses.
Innovation
ACS Laboratory places innovation at the core of its continually evolving operation.
Initially a clinical and diagnostic lab, ACS pivoted to hemp and cannabis in response to emerging market needs. The lab has since expanded to test kratom and mushrooms, including medicinal, psilocybin, and Amanita varieties.
Along the way, its deep scientific team has developed new testing protocols and invested in leading technology to grow alongside its support clients.
ACS’s professional testing lab has driven innovation through:
- Expanding its cannabinoid potency panel from Florida’s 11 mandated analytes to 30 distinct cannabinoids across hemp and cannabis products.
- Creating a white metals panel tailored to HHC (hexahydrocannbinol) products that include zinc, nickel, platinum and palladium.
- Creating a heavy metals expanded panel tailored to Kratom for Manganese and testing.
- Launching a how-to training program to share its testing methodologies and procedures with clients so they could conduct in-house R&D.
- Rapidly offering vitamin E acetate testing for vape products, addressing critical public health concerns.
- Listening to its clients' needs and adding new tests and services each year.
Expansive Facility
ACS Laboratory operates a 20,000 sq. ft. facility, making it one of the largest third-party testing labs.
The size allows ACS to handle a high volume of samples and provide a broad range of testing services. It also ensures that clients receive timely and reliable results, which is essential for maintaining product quality and compliance in a fast-paced industry.
ACS Laboratory’s scale supports continuous investment in advanced technologies and equipment to keep up with emerging markets.
Client Support and Partnership
ACS Laboratory partners with brands to drive innovation and provide up-to-date information on trends, regulations, and product safety. ACS supports its clients in navigating complex regulatory landscapes through comprehensive research, informative blogs, newsletters, and direct collaboration.
For international brands, ACS assists with the complex process of shipping Schedule 1 products overseas. A prime example is its partnership with Rose Hill, a premium psilocybin cultivator and exporter in Jamaica.
For domestic brands, ACS helps comply with new laws, such as Florida's seed-to-sale oversight for medical marijuana treatment centers. It also provides crucial guidance on state-specific regulations across all industries.
ACS’s proactive partnerships foster long-term relationships and provide valuable resources for stakeholders.
Standardization and Compliance
ACS Laboratory emphasizes standardized testing methods, which are crucial for regulatory adherence and consumer safety. The lab's compliance panels and rigorous protocols cover various requirements for cannabis, hemp, and kratom testing. Its regulatory packages also include the Amanita Compliance Panel.
Amanita Compliance Panel
ACS’s Amanita Compliance Panel quantifies the active ingredients in Amanita muscaria and pantherina mushrooms. Critically, it also rules out the presence of psilocybin and psilocin to ensure safety and adherence to the Controlled Substances Act. The lab provides Amanita brands with Certificates of Analysis (COA) for all samples, helping them prove their products are pure and compliant.
The Bottom Line
ACS Laboratory is the preferred professional testing lab for cannabis, hemp, mushroom, and kratom products due to its unwavering commitment to trustworthiness, expertise, comprehensive testing, and client-driven innovation. By continuously advancing its methods and maintaining high standards, ACS Laboratory raises the bar on quality across all trailblazing markets.
Stay compliant and competitive with ACS Laboratory’s advanced testing services. We help you navigate industry standards with accuracy and precision. Contact us today.
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