(a) Testing of industrial hemp for THC concentration shall be conducted by a laboratory with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) / International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 17025 accreditation using a validated method in accordance with Sections 4942, 4944, and 4945 for THC analysis on plant material from an accreditation body that is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement.

(b) A laboratory shall obtain written approval from the Department before testing industrial hemp for THC concentration. A laboratory shall submit a signed laboratory approval application with the following information to the Department for review and approval:

(c) Once the Department receives the application in accordance with the application procedures outlined in Section 4944(b) for approval or renewal and determines that the requirements outlined in this section are met and the laboratory's standard operating procedures for THC testing and sample test report comply with the requirements outlined in Sections 4942, 4944, and 4945, the Department shall approve the laboratory to conduct THC testing on industrial hemp using the approved standard operating procedures in 4943(b)(6) for THC testing and laboratory test report by issuing a proof of approval, and adding the testing laboratory to the list of approved testing laboratories.

(d) If the Department determines that the application for approval or renewal does not meet the testing laboratory requirements outlined Division 24 of the Food and Agricultural Code and this chapter, the Department shall provide written notification to the laboratory applicant of the deficiencies in the application. If the deficiency is a lack of requested information required in 4943(b), the laboratory shall have 30 calendar days from the receipt of the notification to provide the requested information to the Department. If the requested information is not provided within the timeframe, the Department will deny approval.

(e) lf the Department determines that the approved testing laboratory no longer meets the testing laboratory requirements outlined in Division 24 of the Food and Agricultural Code and this chapter, the Department shall revoke the approval and provide written notification to the laboratory applicant regarding the revocation. The revocation is effective as of the date on the notification.

(f) Laboratory approval shall be valid for one year from date of approval by the Department, after which the laboratory shall renew the approval.

(g) Laboratories shall request renewal of Department approval in accordance with the procedures outlined in Section 4943(b). Renewed approval shall be valid for one year from date of renewal by the Department.

(h) Any changes to the approved laboratory's standard operating procedures shall be submitted to the Department for review and approval prior to implementation. Once the Department has determined that the requirements outlined in this section are met and the laboratory's standard operating procedures comply with testing requirements outlined in Sections 4942, 4944, and 4945, the Department shall notify the laboratory that testing may be completed under the revised standard operating procedures.

(i) The Department shall make a template of a laboratory application and the list of approved testing laboratories available on the Department's website.