The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) has opened a new office in Brussels as the UK-based organization expands its membership offer into the European Union.
ACI said it will provide bespoke regulatory and compliance services such as assisting with novel food applications to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and lobbying efforts at EU institutions on behalf of its members.
“In the wake of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, companies in the region and around the globe now face challenges in navigating an evolving regulatory framework in both the UK and Europe,” ACI said in a press release. “A European presence will allow us to assist European companies looking to enter the lucrative UK market whilst simultaneously providing a platform for engagement with European regulatory authorities for our member base.”
Prominent player
ACI, established in 2019, has been a prominent player in helping to shape the regulatory and policy landscape for cannabinoid products in the UK, engaging with the Food Standards Agency, Food Safety Scotland, the Home Office and the Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The association last year launched a study consortium to generate data to meet the compliance requirements of the new novel foods regulations in the UK and the EU.
This year the association has been working with the UK Prime Minister’s new Task Group on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform to establish a footprint for the industry in policy and politics. A report and recommendations are to be published this week.
End-to-end services
ACI last month announced a new “2022 Accelerator” membership program it said is an end-to-end solution for full market authorization for raw material and food products containing legal cannabinoids under novel food regulations. The association provides technical and scientific advice, writes the application and offers follow-up consulting throughout the novel food approval process.
Membership saves participating companies money and time through cost-effective access to licensed toxicological data from ACI’s safety consortium. The data is a key part of dossiers required for novel foods applications to the UK’s FSA and the EU’s EFSA.
Membership details
ACI memberships start at £30,000 (~€35,000) but are based on the number of products a member wishes to submit as novel foods. All memberships include a £6,000 (~€7,000) credit account that can be redeemed for consulting, sponsorships and services including legal, communications and trading standards.
“Our expansion into Brussels perfectly complements our existing work in the UK and strengthens our consultancy team who are advising clients on their European interests, particularly in the wake of Brexit and the accelerating regulation of legal cannabinoid products around the world,” said Steve Moore, ACI co-founder and lead counsel.
ACI’s new Brussels office is located at Square de Meeûs.
