Why Stability Testing Matters
California regulations require that expiration dates on cannabis products be supported by scientific data. Stability testing provides the documented evidence behind that date — showing that potency, microbial safety, and physical characteristics remain within acceptable limits throughout the product's intended shelf life.
Stability data also informs practical business decisions: which packaging materials best protect potency, how storage conditions affect product quality, and when formulation changes are necessary to extend product viability. Our lab manages both accelerated and real-time protocols with regular reporting at each sample interval.
Study Options
- 10-day accelerated study
- 90-day real-time validation
- 9 sample intervals
- 40-day accelerated study
- 365-day real-time validation
- 15 sample intervals
- 79-day accelerated study
- Extended real-time validation
- Comprehensive interval schedule
- 119-day accelerated study
- Long-term real-time validation
- Full compliance documentation package
Parameters We Monitor
Frequently Asked Questions
How can stability testing support packaging decisions?
Stability data shows how environmental factors — heat, light, and humidity — affect potency retention and microbial counts over time. This allows manufacturers to determine appropriate expiration timelines and select packaging materials that preserve product quality before it reaches retail shelves.
What is the difference between accelerated and real-time stability testing?
Accelerated testing uses elevated temperature and humidity conditions to simulate aging in a compressed timeframe, providing early data to support product release decisions. Real-time testing runs concurrently under normal storage conditions to confirm accelerated predictions over the actual intended shelf life period.
At what point in development should stability testing begin?
Ideally, stability studies should begin as soon as a formulation is finalized and production-scale batches are available. Starting early allows you to gather meaningful data before commercial launch while also confirming that the product maintains its properties throughout the intended shelf life.
What parameters does SQRD Lab monitor during stability studies?
We monitor cannabinoid degradation, total yeast and mold counts, moisture content, physical appearance changes, color stability, and terpene retention across multiple sample intervals. The specific parameters can be customized to the product type and your business objectives.
Can stability data be used to support label expiration dates under California regulations?
Yes. California DCC requires that expiration dates on cannabis products be supported by stability data. A properly conducted stability study provides the documented scientific basis for the expiration date stated on your product label.
Can stability testing results help improve cannabis packaging choices?
Yes. Stability data shows directly how environmental factors — heat, light, humidity, and oxygen permeability — affect potency retention, terpene preservation, and microbial counts over time. This allows manufacturers to compare packaging materials and select options that best protect product quality, reducing degradation before the product reaches the consumer.
How long does cannabis shelf life testing take?
The timeline depends on the study type and target shelf life. Accelerated studies compress aging into a shorter period: a 3-month shelf life study takes approximately 10 days, while a 36-month study takes around 119 days under accelerated conditions. Real-time validation studies run concurrently for the actual duration — 3 months, 12 months, or longer. Most operators run both in parallel to get early data quickly while building the full real-time record.
Ready to Start a Stability Study?
Contact our Los Angeles laboratory to discuss study design and get your stability program started.