SICPA announced a new three-year partnership with Rhizo Verified, a third-party hemp verification, authentication, and traceability solutions company. 

With its new True Lot Verification Program, Rhizo Verified uses its’ proprietary software technology to create a safe and trusted platform for hemp buyers and sellers to receive the high-quality products they expect, according to SICPA.  

The True Lot Verification Program uses SICPA’s latest digital and physical authentication tools as an integral part of the overall Rhizo Verified platform solution, SICPA said.  

In the U.S., there is currently no standard practice to provide buyers of raw hemp products with unbiased information about quality and safety, according to SICPA. 

When growing a hemp crop for CBD or grain/fiber production, selecting a suitable seed variety is an important consideration, SICPA noted.

While seed breeders can boast of their high germination and feminization levels (often 95% or more), there has been no professional way – until now – to verify that the hemp seed test results disclosed are indeed from that specific lot, according to SICPA.

"Our new partnership with SICPA provides a key component to establish the gold standard of product testing and verification which farmers and businesses can rely on to ensure the integrity of hemp products," said Justin Khuu, CEO of Rhizo Verified.

Rhizo Verified is using SICPA’s Quazar tamper-evident security labels on hemp seed packages to maintain chain of custody and product integrity.

The Quazar authentication feature paired with a QR code that uniquely identifies the product and provides vital seed information relevant to farmers, SICPA said. 

By scanning the SICPA Quazar label affixed to the containers, buyers can see accurate test results for purity, feminization, and germination for the specific seeds they have purchased, SICPA said.

“Breeders, farmers, and buyers of hemp products face significant stability and safety concerns around product quality and safeguarding of money,” Khuu said. “We’ve developed a professional advanced verification process for the hemp industry to ensure that product quality, availability, and the exchange of funds meet consistent independent standards. Our new partnership with SICPA provides a key component to establish the gold standard of product testing and verification which farmers and businesses can rely on to ensure the integrity of hemp products.”

“We are excited to be working with Rhizo Verified to bring a much-needed service to both sellers and buyers alike that are looking to safely and legally navigate the emerging hemp industry,” added Karen Gardner, SICPA North America chief marketing officer. “This new program creates a trusted platform that allows buyers to verify the contents of the products they’re purchasing and avoid the significant risks that come with unknowingly purchasing sub-quality seeds or seeds that don’t align with state licensing requirements.”