ASTM D8417-21

Standard Guide for Sampling of Hempseed Intended for Human Consumption

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Use of consistent procedures results in samples that reflect the quality or safety or both of the batch or lot from which samples were taken.  
4.2 Sampling for periodic testing is an important component for maintaining the requisite quality and safety aspect(s), particularly for buyers of raw product or other circumstances in which a further pathogen reduction step is not possible. It may also facilitate identification of product to be assigned to other appropriate usage, storage, or transport options.  
4.3 Consistent test results can enhance confidence of the buyer and credibility of the seller and allow for consistent product sourcing based on category of attribute or product specification.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers recommended steps used in collection of a representative field sample of bulk hempseed intended for human consumption.  
1.2 This guide applies to plant breeders, hempseed producers/farmers, seed cleaners, storage facilities, laboratories, and processors who handle bulk hempseed.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2021
• ICS: 65.020.20 - Plant growing
• Technical Committee: D37 - Cannabis
• Drafting Committee: D37.07 - Industrial Hemp

Overview

ASTM D8417-21: Standard Guide for Sampling of Hempseed Intended for Human Consumption outlines recommended procedures for collecting representative field samples of bulk hempseed intended for human consumption. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures that consistent sampling methods are used, which helps guarantee the quality, safety, and traceability of hempseed batches. The guidance applies across the supply chain, including plant breeders, producers, seed cleaners, storage facilities, laboratories, and processors. By establishing uniform sampling protocols, organizations and laboratories can conduct reliable periodic testing to meet regulatory, trade, and customer requirements.

Key Topics

• Representative Sampling: Ensuring the sample reflects the overall quality and safety of the batch or lot.
• Sampling Methods: Guidance on both static and stream sampling techniques appropriate for stationary or moving lots of hempseed.
• Sample Integrity: Emphasis on the use of clean, sanitized containers and sampling tools to prevent contamination.
• Documentation: Methods for labeling samples with detailed identifiers, such as sample location, date, quantity, and owner.
• Periodic Testing: Importance of scheduled testing for quality control, buyer specifications, and regulatory purposes, especially when further pathogen reduction is not feasible.
• Statistical Validity: Recommendation that test results should include a calculated margin of error for reliable analysis.
• Safety & Compliance: User responsibility to maintain safety, health, and environmental practices, and assess relevant regulatory limitations before sampling.

Applications

The practical value of ASTM D8417-21 is evident throughout the hempseed industry:

• Quality Control in Processing: Ensures that samples used for laboratory analysis accurately represent the larger bulk from which they are taken, supporting consistent product specifications and regulatory compliance.
• Regulatory Assurance: Facilitates compliance with international and national regulations for hempseed intended for food use, vital for import/export and trade.
• Risk Management: Reduces the possibility of contamination or misrepresentation by enforcing strict protocols for cleaning tools and sample containers, as well as rigorous recordkeeping.
• Traceability in Supply Chains: Enables both sellers and buyers to trace quality and safety attributes back to specific batches or lots, increasing confidence and reducing disputes.
• Seed Certification and Breeding: Assists plant breeders and certification agencies in verifying genetic and varietal purity as well as physical and biological quality parameters.
• Storage and Transportation Decisions: Provides a basis for assigning hempseed to appropriate usage, storage, or transport channels following quality assessment.

Related Standards

Several other standards and references complement the guidance provided in ASTM D8417-21:

• ASTM D8270: Terminology Relating to Cannabis, providing relevant definitions that assist in uniform understanding.
• Canadian Grain Commission - Official Grain Grading Guide: Used for grain sampling and grading best practices.
• Canadian Seed Institute - Technical Manual on Sampling: Offers additional technical reference for seed sampling protocols.
• Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP): Guidelines that reinforce sanitation, traceability, and best practices in specialty agriculture.
• World Health Organization GACP for Medicinal Plants: Provides international benchmark guidance for good agricultural and collection processes.

Summary

ASTM D8417-21 is an essential standard for the sampling of hempseed for human consumption, supporting objective, consistent, and safe sampling procedures. Adoption improves quality assurance, helps meet legal or buyer requirements, and fosters trust throughout the hempseed supply chain. By following this guidance, stakeholders ensure the integrity and traceability of bulk hempseed products, enabling reliable laboratory analysis and supporting international trade.

Standards Content (Sample)

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: D8417 − 21
Standard Guide for
Sampling of Hempseed Intended for Human Consumption
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8417; 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
Sampling of bulk hempseed may be undertaken routinely for quality or food safety control, buyer
specification, or to validate export or import standards for government regulatory bodies. Samples are
required for routine testing to identify physical attributes, moisture level, rancidity, microbial load,
potential disease, or variety verification. Testing may be a mandatory prerequisite for international
trade or for purposes as determined by international seed certification agencies to identify purity and
other traits. This guide describes procedures for field conditions to enable consistent, objective, and
repeatable sampling results for business-to-business transactions.
1. Scope 2.2 Canadian Grain Commission Documents:
Official Grain Grading Guide
1.1 This guide covers recommended steps used in collection
of a representative field sample of bulk hempseed intended for 2.3 Canadian Herb, Spice, Specialty Agriculture and Natu-
human consumption. ral Health Products Coalition:
Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP)
1.2 This guide applies to plant breeders, hempseed
producers/farmers, seed cleaners, storage facilities, 2.4 Canadian Seed Institute Document:
Technical Manual on Sampling Appendix 3–1, 2021
laboratories, and processors who handle bulk hempseed.
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
3. Terminology
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. 3.1 Definitions—For definitions for terms related to
cannabis, refer to Terminology D8270.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1 composite sample, n—a sample formed by combining
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
and mixing all primary sub-samples taken from the lot.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.2 hemp, n—a Cannabis sativa L. plant, or any part of
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
that plant, in which the concentration of total delta-9 tetrahy-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
drocannabinol (THC) in the flowering tops is equal to or less
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
than the regulated maximum level as established by authorities
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
having jurisdiction (AHJ).
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The term hemp is synonymous with
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
industrial hemp.
3.2.3 hempseed, n—intact achene (fruit) produced from a
2. Referenced Documents
hemp plant that is capable of normal germination.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.3.1 Discussion—Primarily used for sowing to grow a
D8270 Terminology Relating to Cannabis
plant or for further processing, this is sometimes known as
hemp grain or hemp seed.
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D37.07 on Industrial Hemp.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published December 2021. DOI:
10.1520/D8417-21. Available from Canadian Grain Commission, https://www.grainscanada.gc.ca.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or AvailablefromCanadianHerb,Spice,SpecialtyAgricultureandNaturalHealth
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Products Coalition, https://www.chsnc.ca/g-a-c-p-s.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Canadian Seed Institute, https://csi-ics.com/canadian-seed-
the ASTM website. institute.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8417 − 21
3.2.4 primary sample, n—a sub-sample taken from a lot of 6.3 Careistakentonotintroducecontaminationoftoolsand
grain during one single sampling action. containers when cleaning equipment and transporting sampled
material.
3.2.5 representative field sample, n—asubsetofproductthat
seeks to reflect accurately as much as possible the larger lot or
6.4 Sample containers shall be identified in a manner that
batch taken under field conditions, according to characteristics
describes:
or attribute(s) that are to be assessed.
6.4.1 Location or storage bin where sample taken,
3.2.5.1 Discussion—This facilitates objective and repeat-
6.4.2 Date.
able testing or assessment or both of qualitative attribute(s).
6.4.3 Weight or volume of sample,
6.4.4 Owner, and
3.2.6 static sample, n—a sample(s) taken from product in
6.4.5 Other information pertinent to the organization re-
storage and not moving or flowing from an auger or conveyor.
questing the sample or test(s).
3.2.7 stream sample, n—a sample(s) taken during active
transfer of the bulk product, for example, from the flow of
7. Procedure
hempseed off the end of an auger or conveyor at the time of
7.1 Wash hands ahead of time, use disposable gloves, and
transfer into or out of farm equipment/storage or a processor
ensure that clean sampling equipment is used.
bin.
7.2 Take a representative number of samples based on the
4. Significance and Use
volume of material and the total number of lots to be sampled.
Obtaining a representative field sample is contingent on the
4.1 Use of consistent procedures results in samples that
uniformity of the seed lot, sampling intensity, sampling
reflect the quality or safety or both of the batch or lot from
technique, equipment used, and maintaining sample integrity.
which samples were taken.
7.2.1 Determine the sampling frequency, minimum number
4.2 Samplingforperiodictestingisanimportantcomponent
of primary samples to be collected, and the composite sample
for maintaining the requisite quality and safety aspect(s),
size that will meet the needs of the testing body or customer.
particularlyforbuyersofrawproductorothercircumstancesin
Collect the samples in a consistent and unbiased manner as
which a further pathogen reduction step is not possible. It may
possible.
also facilitate identification of product to be assigned to other
7.2.2 Mix primary samples together thoroughly into a com-
appropriate usage, storage, or transport options.
positesampleandthentakethreesamplesforsubmissiontothe
4.3 Consistent test results can enhance confidence of the
testing agency.
buyer and credibility of the seller and allow for consistent
7.2.3 A minimum of 1000 g sample is recommended for
product sourcing based on category of attr
...