Steps to Certification
Certification is open to hemp growers, processors and manufacturers, and brand owners. It is granted after a successful independent third-party audit against the U.S. Hemp Authority® Standard.
Five steps to certification
Review the Standard
Read the requirements of the U.S. Hemp Authority® Standard, Version 4.0, and assess how your operation measures up.
Download Standard Version 4.0 →Apply for an audit
Contact the independent third-party certification body for application materials. Complete the application and review process, then schedule your audit.
Apply for an audit →Complete the audit
The independent auditors inspect each farm and facility in scope against the Standard.
Resolve findings and license the Seal
Close out any issues raised in the audit. Once resolved, certification is awarded and you execute the U.S. Hemp Authority® Licensing Agreement.
Display the Seal
Place and promote the U.S. Hemp Authority® Seal on product labels, marketing materials, your website and more for the duration of the certified year.
Who may be certified
Growers
Farms producing extract, oilseed or fiber hemp varieties.
Processors & manufacturers
Facilities that extract, formulate or manufacture hemp and CBD products.
Brand owners
Companies marketing hemp and CBD products under their own brand.
Vertically integrated operations may be certified across the whole operation, but each farm and facility needs its own physical audit.
Orientation
The U.S. Hemp Authority® offers an orientation to guide applicants through the certification process. It covers:
- Quality Management Systems
- ISO quality standards
- Current Good Manufacturing Practices
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Code of Federal Regulations
- Hemp farming practices
Fee schedule
Fees have two parts: an inspection fee paid for the audit, and a certification fee based on operation type and scope.
| Inspection type | Basis | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| On-site inspection | Daily rate, based on average inspection time. Travel and expenses not included. | $1,399 / day |
| Desk audit (4 hours) | Review of current third-party audits (e.g., cGMP, BRCGS). Requires complete reports from an accredited certification body, including observations and action plans. An on-site inspection may still be required if the information provided is insufficient. | $649 / facility |
| Brand owner desk audit | Per brand | $649 / brand |
| Category | Scope | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Grower: extract varieties | ||
| Farms under 10 acres | $499 | |
| Farms of 10 acres or more | $999 | |
| Grower: oilseed & fiber varieties | ||
| Farms under 100 acres | $249 | |
| Farms of 100 acres or more | $749 | |
| Processor / manufacturer & brand owner | ||
| Up to 5 products | $2,999 | |
| Products 6–25 | $249 / product | |
| Products 26–50 | $199 / product | |
| Products 51 and above | $99 / product | |
Farms producing extract varieties alongside oilseed and/or fiber varieties pay only the extract-variety fee. A $500 discount applies when the inspection is combined (same day) with an Organic, GMP, GFSI, Non-GMO or Non-GMO Project Verification inspection by the same certification body. Fees are subject to change; confirm current rates when you apply.
The Certification Seal
Any company that has passed the third-party audit, executed the U.S. Hemp Authority® Licensing Agreement and paid the Licensing Fee may use the Seal during its certified year. Certified companies may use it on product labels, websites, marketing materials, invoices and letterhead.
The Seal is licensed for one certified year at a time. Continued use requires annual re-inspection and renewal of the Licensing Agreement.
Begin the certification process
Applications are handled by the program's independent third-party certification body.