ORELAP Accreditation
In Oregon, the Oregon Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ORELAP) is responsible for accrediting laboratories that test cannabis. This accreditation ensures that labs adhere to strict testing protocols and quality standards for analyzing cannabis products, aligning with The NELAC Institute (TNI) Standard, which mandates quality assurance measures, including proficiency testing and documentation of standard operating procedures. ORELAP-accredited labs must complete proficiency tests for each analyte and sample type (such as cannabis flower or extracts) and meet Oregon Health Authority requirements specified in OAR 333-64.
To obtain accreditation, labs need to follow the detailed application process, which includes passing proficiency tests, ensuring compliance with all TNI modules, and maintaining a quality control system. This accreditation is necessary for laboratories to obtain licenses from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) for cannabis testing. Furthermore, recent updates to regulations include new mycotoxin proficiency requirements and protocols for handling cannabis samples, such as pre-roll testing, which are critical for labs to maintain compliance and uphold their ORELAP accreditation.
The Oregon Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ORELAP) is recognized by The NELAC Institute’s (TNI) National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP). Effective January 1, 2021, the 2016 TNI Standard is the accreditation standard for ORELAP laboratories.
ORELAP accredits qualified laboratories for testing under the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and Cannabis testing under ORS 475C.540 to 475C.590. ORELAP also accredits psilocybin testing under ORS 475A.590 to 475A.622
For more details, you can refer to ORELAP’s guidelines provided by the Oregon Health Authority on their official website.
https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/Hemp/Pages/HempTestingLabs.aspx