ASTM D8498-23

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D8498 − 23
Standard Guide for
Compliance to the Specifications of ASTM D8450
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8498; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
In the cannabis/hemp industry, fairness in the marketplace for cannabis/hemp products is desired.
Thus, standards for assuring safety, quality, and weight stabilization during key steps of the
cannabis/hemp flowers sojourn are in order. This guide is added to other ASTM standards to assure
safety, quality, and weight stabilization of cannabis/hemp flower and will be used by purveyors who
move the cured crop to packaging used for distribution to another licensed operator or the end user.
1. Scope priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 Specification D8450 specifies the environmental
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and lighting under
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
which the cured, dry, cannabis/hemp flowers in fresh format
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
intended for human use are to be packaged to assure the safety,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
quality, and weight stabilization of the packaged flower. This
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
guide suggests means by which the packager of cannabis/hemp
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
can meet Specification D8450.
1.1.1 This guide does not apply to frozen cannabis/hemp.
2. Referenced Documents
1.1.2 This guide does not apply to cannabis/hemp intended
2.1 ASTM Standards:
for extraction.
D8196 Practice for Determination of Water Activity (a ) in
w
1.2 This guide applies only to controlling an indoor envi-
Cannabis Flower
ronment (heat, cooling, humidity control, lighting) surrounding
D8197 Specification for Maintaining Acceptable Water Ac-
packaging operations. Outdoor operations are outside the scope
tivity (a ) Range (0.55 to 0.65) for Dry Cannabis Flower
w
of this guide and are not addressed.
Intended for Human/Animal Use
1.3 This guide can be used by licensed operators in the
D8233 Guide for Packaging and Labeling of Consumer
cannabis/hemp space who move the cured crop(s) into con-
Resin Cannabis Products for Sale to Adult Consumers,
sumer or non-consumer packaging used for distribution.
Legally Authorized Medical Users, and Caregivers in a
Business-to-Consumer Retail Environment (Retailers)
1.4 Security of the cannabis/hemp flower during the pack-
D8270 Terminology Relating to Cannabis
aging process is not within the scope of this guide.
D8309 Guide for Stability Testing of Cannabis-Based Prod-
1.5 This guide is intended to remain valid until the packaged
ucts
cannabis/hemp flower is placed in storage or transit.
D8450 Specification for Environmental Conditions While
Packaging Cannabis/Hemp Flower
1.6 Authorities having jurisdiction may have additional or
alternate requirements which shall take precedence or super-
3. Terminology
sede this guide.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1 Definitions—General definitions are in accordance with
Terminology D8270, unless otherwise indicated.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D37.04 on Processing and Handling. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published June 2023. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D8498-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8498 − 23
3.2.1 environmental conditions, n—the atmosphere immedi- 6.2.1 As necessary, consider equipping the packaging area
ately surrounding the cannabis/hemp flower as it is transferred with close-fitting screens or filters, or both, to prevent the entry
from drying/curing to packaging, whether controlled within the of dust, smoke, steam, odors, and contaminated air.
immediate vicinity in which the flower is contained, or in the 6.2.2 Equipment should be designed, constructed, and
larger space surrounding the packaging operation of the flower. maintained in a manner that permits it to be kept clean and
orderly, permits effective cleaning of all its surfaces, prevents
3.2.2 relative humidity, n—the relative humidity (RH) of an
the contamination of the packaged cannabis/hemp flower and
air-water mixture is defined as the ratio of the partial pressure
prevents the introduction of extraneous substances.
of water vapor (pH O) in the mixture to the equilibrium vapor
6.2.3 Regular maintenance and sanitation should be per-
pressure of water (p*H O) over a flat surface of pure water at
formed within internal areas where cannabis is handled and
a given temperature.
packaged to avoid product safety or contamination of concern
RH = pH O / p*H O
2 2
to human health.
6.2.4 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be
4. Significance and Use
accessible by employees and applicable contractors for key
4.1 Standards and practices for assuring safety, quality, and
operational elements including: sanitation and inspection of the
weight stabilization during key steps of the cannabis/hemp facility and equipment; employee hygiene; distribution, includ-
flowers sojourn are in order.
ing transfer, and receipt of cured unpackaged cannabis/hemp,
delivery of packaged of cannabis/hemp flower; managing
4.2 This guide is intended to assist in assuring safety,
product on hold or destined for destruction.
quality, and weight stabilization of cannabis/hemp flower
during indoor packaging operations. 6.3 In accordance with Specification D8450, records shall
be maintained to assure that the specifications of that standard
4.3 This guide is intended to assist in assuring that packaged
are met. Records should also be kept of various systems design
cannabis
...