Rule 351-7-.02 - General Rules(1) A valid registration from the Commission authorizes an independent laboratory to test regulated cannabis from a production licensee.(2) A current list of approved and registered independent laboratories shall be maintained by the Commission and made available to the public on the Commission's website.(3) All costs and expenses incurred to test product in final packaged form shall be paid by the production licensee and not by the Commission.(4) An independent laboratory is prohibited from any other activities regulated by the Commission including production, selling, or dispensing of products.(5) A person with a financial interest in an independent laboratory is prohibited from holding a financial interest in any other type of license or registration issued by the Commission under the Act.(6) All independent laboratories on the Commission's current list shall participate in a third-party proficiency-testing program provided by an ISO/IEC 17043:2010 or higher-accredited proficiency test provider, at least semi-annually.(7) The independent laboratory shall ensure that copies of all ISO/IEC audits and inspection reports are submitted to the Commission and its employees within twenty-four (24) hours of completion. (8) An independent laboratory shall continue to provide the Commission and its employees with current contact information and notify the Commission and its employees, in writing, of any changes to the mailing addresses, phone numbers, or electronic mail addresses. (9) An independent laboratory shall not use the Commission's name or logo on any sign on its premises, website, or any advertising or social media, except to the extent that information is contained on the proof of registration or is contained in part of warnings, signage, or other documents required by these rules.(10) An independent laboratory shall create and maintain employee policies and procedures, including, at a minimum, the following: (b) Whistle-blower policy;(c) A policy which notifies persons with disabilities of their rights, which includes provisions prohibiting discrimination and providing reasonable accommodations; and(d) All applicable state and federal Department of Labor regulations for posting required notices in the workplace.(11) An independent laboratory shall take reasonable measures and precautions to ensure all employees working with direct access to product in final packaged form shall use hygienic practices while on duty for the prevention of contamination, including:(a) Ensuring handwashing facilities are located within all testing areas, equipped with effective hand-cleaning and sanitizing preparations, and sanitary towel service or electronic drying devices;(b) Requiring employees wash hands thoroughly with soap before starting work and at any other time when hands have become soiled or contaminated; and(c) Responding reasonably and promptly to reports or concerns of any employee who has been diagnosed with, or has displayed or experienced symptoms of, a contagious illness or a communicable disease.(12) The independent laboratory shall notify the Commission and its employees of the following:(a) The initiation or conclusion of any new judicial decisions, lawsuits, legal proceedings, charges, or government investigation and enforcement actions, whether initiated, pending, or concluded, that involve the registrant within ten (10) days of such initiation or conclusion.(b) The loss or suspension of its required accreditation, within twenty-four (24) hours of such loss or suspension. 1. If the accreditation is not restored within thirty (30) days of such loss or suspension, then the independent laboratory shall be removed from the Commission's list of approved independent laboratories.2. An independent laboratory shall be required to submit a new registration form to the Commission if such laboratory has been removed from the Commission's list of approved independent laboratories.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 351-7-.02
O.C.G.A. §§ 16-12-203, 16-12-210, 16-12-217.
Original Rule entitled "General Rules" adopted. F. Mar. 16, 2023; eff. Apr. 5, 2023.