About the U.S. Hemp Authority®
The U.S. Hemp Authority® Certification Program is the hemp industry's initiative to set high standards, promote best practices and regulate itself, so consumers and retailers can have confidence in hemp and CBD products.
Mission
The U.S. Hemp Authority® creates and maintains strict standards for the hemp industry and verifies conformance through independent third-party audits. It certifies hemp growers, processors, manufacturers and brand owners that meet those standards.
Since the program was established in late 2018, more than 50 companies have been awarded the U.S. Hemp Authority® Certification Seal.
Self-regulatory model
The U.S. Hemp Authority® operates as a self-regulatory organization (SRO). The industry sets its own standards through an open, documented process and holds participants to them through independent verification.
- Standards are set in the open. Drafts are published for public comment, and the disposition of every comment is recorded.
- Technical expertise is balanced. A Technical Committee of growers, manufacturers, brand owners, laboratories, food-safety inspectors and regulatory experts maintains the Standard.
- Audits are independent. A third-party certification body conducts audits, not the U.S. Hemp Authority or the company under review.
- Governance is accountable. A Board of Directors with seats for law enforcement, retail, farming and trade organizations oversees the program under published bylaws.
History
- 2024
Adult-use cannabinoid certification
With consumer demand growing and no federal regulatory framework in place, the U.S. Hemp Authority launched a certification program for adult-use cannabinoid products, specifically delta-8 and delta-9 THC products that can cause impairment.
- 2022
Standard Version 4.0
Version 4.0 of the Standard took effect for all new applicants. Entities already certified were required to demonstrate full conformance at their next annual certification inspection.
- 2021
Board expansion
The Board of Directors added more industry expertise, including Dr. Guru Ramanathan, a longtime leader in the dietary supplement industry, and Dr. Andrea Wong.
- 2020
Revision to Version 3.0
Under Terms of Reference set by the Board, the U.S. Hemp Authority revised Guidance Procedures 2.0. The first revision round was published for public comment in October 2020, leading to Version 3.0 of the Standard.
- 2019
Guidance Procedures 2.0
On March 1, 2019, the U.S. Hemp Authority® released Guidance Procedures 2.0 for use in 2020. It applied lessons from the program's launch and drew on broader stakeholder input.
- 2018
Guidance Plan 1.0 and program launch
In March 2018, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable released the first draft of Guidance Plan 1.0 and asked more than 20,000 hemp industry leaders, stakeholders and advocates to comment. The certification program launched later that year.
- 2017
U.S. Hemp Roundtable
The Kentucky Hemp Industry Coalition became the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and set up a formal process, drawing on its roughly 30 leading member companies, to develop a Guidance Plan for hemp growing, cultivation and processing.
- 2016
Founding rationale
Leaders of the Kentucky Hemp Industry Coalition (KHIC) concluded the industry needed a self-regulatory organization to promote high standards and best practices, as other agricultural commodities do.
Organizational documents
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Bylaws of the U.S. Hemp Authority
The organization's governing bylaws.
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Program Overview for Retailers
What certification means for retailers sourcing hemp and CBD products, and how to rely on the Seal.
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Program Overview for Brand Owners
What certification involves for brand owners and the benefits of carrying the Seal.
Begin the certification process
Applications are handled by the program's independent third-party certification body.