Rule 351-7-.05 - Sample Collection Requirements(1) An independent laboratory shall maintain and practice sampling methods that are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 or higher accredited.(2) The sample method chosen shall achieve a ninety-five percent (95%) or greater confidence level of the batch for the testing of the following: (b) Cannabinoid compounds;(f) Visible foreign material;(g) Microbial impurities;(3) An independent laboratory shall develop and document which scientifically defensible incremental sampling method is utilized for testing.(4) The independent laboratory shall:(a) Maintain a document of the sample method selection at the premises during the term of the registration;(b) Document any changes to the sample method chosen and submit the changes to the Commission and its employees within twenty-four (24) hours; and(c) Provide the document of sample method selection to the Commission and its employees.(5) The sample increments shall be combined into a controlled sample, completing the same procedure with a second set of equivalent sample increments to form the reserve sample.(6) The amount of controlled sample supplied to the independent laboratory shall be large enough to complete all required testing, to complete a replicate test, and to create a homogenized sample that is representative of the manufactured batch.(7) The sample collector shall collect samples of product in final packaged form that are representative of the manufactured batch and that are relative to the size of such batch (a) An equal number of controlled samples of product in final packaged form for testing as set forth in Rule 351-7-.08 and reserve samples as set forth in Rule 351-4-.06, shall be collected concurrently and within an unobstructed view of security cameras at the production facility premises.(b) The controlled sample and reserve sample of product in final packaged form shall each consist of the following minimum number of sample unit increments taken: 1. Eight (8) units for a sample product batch with up to 500 products;2. Twelve (12) units for a sample product batch with 501-1,000 products;3. Sixteen (16) units for a sample product batch with 1,001-5,000 products; and4. Twenty (20) units for a sample product batch with more than 5,000 products.(c) The sample collector may collect a greater number of units if necessary to perform the required testing or to ensure that the samples collected are representative.(8) A sample collection form shall be utilized for each batch sample, establishing the chain of custody, and shall contain the following information: (a) Date and time sample was collected;(b) Name and license number of the originating production licensee;(c) Batch number of the batch from which the representative sample was obtained and assigned unique sample identifier;(d) Total batch size, by weight, or unit count;(e) Total weight, or unit count of the representative sample;(f) Type of product in final packaged form for which samples are collected;(g) Sampling conditions or problems encountered during the sampling process, if any;(h) Printed name and signature of the authorized agent of the production licensee;(i) Printed name and signature of the sample collector from the independent laboratory; and(j) The date, time, and the names and signatures of persons involved, each time a sample changes custody, is transported, or is destroyed.(9) Once the independent laboratory removes the sample from the production licensee's premises, the sample collection form may not be altered.(10) After a sample is collected, but prior to testing, an independent laboratory shall: (a) Label the batch with the following information: 1. The independent laboratory's name and registration number;2. The date the samples were taken; and3. In bold, all capitalized letters: "PRODUCT NOT TESTED".(b) Apply a custody seal to each laboratory test sample container or bulk package containing a single facility's laboratory test samples in a manner which prevents tampering.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 351-7-.05
O.C.G.A. §§ 16-12-203, 16-12-210, 16-12-217.
Original Rule entitled "Sample Collection Requirements" adopted. F. Mar. 16, 2023; eff. Apr. 5, 2023.Amended: F. Nov. 9, 2023; eff. Nov. 29, 2023.