Heavy metals, toxic metals and moisture content in dried hemp (cannabis) leaves

Hemp is a plant known to accumulate metals in its lifetime, therefore it should be tested before it is utilized in consumer products.

The most relevant heavy metals and toxic metals in hemp, namely arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc, are covered by this ring tests. Furthermore, the labs are requested to report the moisture content of the sample.

Dried hemp leaves, milled to a fine powder, are provided as test material. The material contains heavy metals and toxic metals either from accumulation of the plant, or the metals are spiked to the material. The corresponding unspiked material is provided as blank material. The blank material might contain some metals due to accumulation in the plant.

The analytical data are assessed with respect to

• the comparability (z-score), and
• the trueness (70 to 120% of the spiked level, spiked parameters only).

This ring test is not included in the scope of our accreditation yet. Independent from our scope of accreditation, all ring tests are organised and performed in accordance with the requirements of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043:2023.