The following requirements apply to third-party laboratories seeking certification by the LCB to conduct quality assurance testing on cannabis and cannabis products in Washington state, and for certified third-party laboratories (certified laboratories) to remain certified by the LCB. The requirements provided in this section are continuing requirements, and must be adhered to and maintained for a third-party laboratory to remain certified.

(1) A third-party laboratory must be certified by the LCB and meet WSDA accreditation requirements under chapter 16-310 WAC prior to conducting quality assurance tests required under this chapter. Certified laboratories must conspicuously display the certification letter received by the LCB upon certification at the laboratory's premises in a conspicuous location where a customer may observe it unobstructed in plain sight.

(2) Licensed producers or processors may not have a financial interest in a certified laboratory. A person with financial interest in a certified laboratory may not have direct or indirect financial interest in a licensed cannabis producer or processor for whom they are conducting required quality assurance tests. A person with direct or indirect financial interest in a certified laboratory must disclose to the LCB by affidavit any direct or indirect financial interest in a licensed cannabis producer or processor.

(3) The following provisions are conditions of certification for third-party testing laboratories. Failure to adhere to the below requirements may result in the suspension or revocation of certification.

(a) Each laboratory must employ a scientific director responsible to ensure the achievement and maintenance of quality standards of practice. The scientific director must possess the minimum qualifications as described in chapter 16-309 WAC.

(b) Certified laboratories must follow the analytical requirements under chapter 16-309 WAC.

(c) Certified laboratories must be accredited by WSDA for each type of test conducted under chapter 16-310 WAC.

(d) A laboratory must provide the following documentation to the LCB when applying for certification:

(i) Their most recent audit report issued to them by the WSDA;

(ii) The scope of accreditation listing the accredited parameters;

(iii) Proof of current accreditation with the WSDA;

(iv) Their contact information including: Email, phone number, and physical and mailing addresses.

(e) LCB will provide a certification letter to laboratories applying for certification to indicate whether certification is approved or denied.

(i) Certification approval will include approved fields of testing, requirements for maintaining certification, and the date of expiration for certification.

(ii) Incomplete, inaccurate, or falsified documents submitted for an initial certification or renewal of certification is grounds for denial of certification.

(f) LCB certification of a laboratory is valid for one year. Laboratories must apply for certification renewal each year to maintain their certification. Laboratories applying for a renewal of certification must submit required certification documentation to the LCB at least 30 days, but no more than 60 days, prior to their certification expiration date.

(g) Certified laboratories must allow the LCB to conduct physical visits and inspect related laboratory equipment, testing and other related records during normal business hours without advance notice.

(h) Certified laboratories must report all required test results directly into LCB's traceability system within 24 hours of completion. Laboratories must also record in the traceability system an acknowledgment of the receipt of samples from producers or processors and verify if any unused portion of the samples provided to them for testing was destroyed in compliance with cannabis waste disposal requirements pursuant to WAC 314-55-097 and RCW 69.50.3255, or returned to the customer.

(i) A certified laboratory must notify the LCB of any changes in their WSDA accreditation status within 48 hours of the change, including newly accredited testing parameters, discontinuing previously accredited testing parameters, or revocation of accreditation per WAC 16-310-180.