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It’s important to look at the 3rd party lab test results whenever you purchase a Delta 8 product. However, you also have to understand what you’re looking at. In this guide, we’ll break down what full panels are, potency tests, and other important things to look for.
What is a 3rd Party Lab Test?
The 3rd party lab test results are reports from independent laboratories made whenever they sampled a Delta 8 product. These laboratories test for different chemicals and report how much THC is in a product. Although these labs are not non-profit organizations, they’re being paid by companies to test their products for them.
Failure to report accurate findings can result in legal action by companies who trust these labs to report accurately. This is because labs often test for potency and report that a product is legal to sell; however, if a government agency tests these products and it passes the legal limit of THC, the company can get into a lot of trouble.
See Also: Delta Extrax Lab Test Results
Partial Lab Test
Sometimes you’ll only see the Potency Test reported in the labs. The reason is to prove that a product is Hemp compliant. Therefore, you need proof in writing in case it ever gets questioned by the government or a vendor. However, full-panel lab results can be expensive, and companies that are just starting might not be able to afford full-panel testing.
Potency Test
You’ll find the potency of the product under the title – Cannabinoids Analysis (CANX). We call it the Potency Test because it tells you how much THC is in the tested batch. Here you can see the different percentages of THC in a product. In addition, for a product to be Hemp compliant, it must have less than 0.3% of Delta 9.
Full Panel Lab Test
A Full Panel lab test will show the CANX and include another test made to detect certain chemicals. Although Partial Labs are important, it’s always good practice to show what the findings were for potentially harmful chemicals.
Heavy Metals Testing
The test for heavy metals in a product is titled – Heavy Metals Detection Analysis (HME). You’ll find the two most common testing is done for Mercury and Arsenic. Why would there be any of these chemicals, to begin with? The answer is in the extraction process or contaminated soil. Also, this is why it’s important to purchase products where you can see the labs.
Microbial Testing
When you test for microbial, it will be titled Microbial Testing Analysis (MIBIG). Although some of these tests might seem confusing, rest assured that it’s necessary when dealing with stuff you ingest or inhale. Also, you probably won’t ever see anything have large percentages of harmful microbes because those products typically get sent back and are fixed, then tested again until they pass.
Mycotoxin Testing
The Mycotoxin Testing Analysis (MTO) testing for the toxins caused by mold. Like Microbial, you’ll probably never see a product with high amounts of Mycotoxins. However, if you do, it’s best not to consume it.
Pesticides Testing
When a Delta 8 product is tested for Pesticides, it’s titled – Pesticides Screening Analysis (PES). If a grower is using Pesticides to help preserve the plant, if the extraction process is not clean, it will show here. You will notice a long list of Pesticides that a product gets tested for.
Solvent Testing
The Solvent Testing is titled – Residual Solvents Testing Analysis (RES). This type of testing is looking for solvents left during the extraction process. Although most companies use clean ways to extract THC, some rely on chemicals that will leave residuals in the distillate. Those residuals can make you sick if you intake high amounts.
Filth Testing
Finally, the Filth & Foreign Material Inspection Analysis (FVI) tests for any additional chemicals, mold, or anything that might have ended up in the product. It’s a broad test to ensure that there are no surprises.
Lab Test Results Frequently Asked Questions
We get asked many questions about our labs and what certain things mean. Therefore, we want to help answer the most common questions.
How do I read a Lab Test Result?
The Lab Tests are broken down into sections. Each test will have a title of what that section tested for and the results. On the left side of the report, you’ll find the title Analyte, which shows what was tested. On the right side, LOD – Limit of Detection, LOQ – Limit of Quantification, and the results are broken down into %, mg/g, and mg/unit.
Under the right side of the report, you’ll also see numbers and the letters ND and UI. The letters ND stand for Not Detected, and UI represents the word Not Identified. That means there were small amounts that were not detectable or could not be identified as having any.
Why aren’t all cannabinoids on the lab test results?
The problem with releasing certain products first to market is that many times 3rd, party labs need to prepare for them. They can be so new that they don’t have the equipment yet or a way to detect them in the product.
What happens then is the new cannabinoid goes undetected in the lab test results because they didn’t have a way to test for it. However, as time passes, the technology improves, and eventually, they discover a way to test for them.
Is a company legally required to test its products?
Yes and no. A company doesn’t have to provide a Full Panel Lab Test technically but does have to provide a Potency Test. Also, as stated earlier, a Cannabinoids Analysis shows that the product is Hemp compliant. Although a Full Panel test benefits everyone, it was not the law of the land when we wrote this blog.
How do I know a lab test is real?
Some companies will try and pass fake labs as real ones by editing the info. However, there should be a QR code at the bottom of the report that will take you to the official website of the lab. If the URL after you scanned the QR code goes somewhere else, then the Lab Test has probably been tampered with.
Where do I find the lab test results?
You will normally find lab test results on the back of the packaging or the company’s official website. However, if a product or company is new and you can’t find lab test results, it’s best to ask the shop where you bought it from. Chances are, when they purchased directly from the company or distributor, they received a copy of the lab results.
Understanding Delta 8 Lab Test Results
It’s a good thing to take the time to research the labs of the Delta 8 product you’re using. It’s a way for you to be certain that the product you’re taking is safe. Although the numbers and names can seem a bit confusing, once you familiarize yourself with the terminology, it will become second nature.
