CUMCS – Control Union Medical Cannabis Standard
Control Union Medical Cannabis Standard GAP (CUMCS-GAP) is globally the leading certification standard for medical cannabis certification. The goal of the standard is to ensure the best quality and consistency in the production of the product.
Control Union Medical Cannabis Standard GAP (CUMCS-GAP)
About the standard
At Control Union, we leverage over a century of certification expertise, operating in more than 80 countries worldwide. Our team of local and international experts, including auditors across Canada, delivers efficient, streamlined, and cost-effective certification processes.
Control Union Cannabis Certifications global leaders in certification with over 100 years of experience.
Medical Cannabis
A growing number of countries have implemented legal frameworks for the cultivation and use of medical cannabis. In December 2020, the UN recognized the medical value of cannabis. As a consequence, the market requires strict adherence to quality systems and cultivation procedures like compliance with guidelines such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) Good Agricultural & Collection Practices (GACP). Therefore, independent verification for compliance by third parties is becoming common practice in the industry. The CUMCS-GAP standard serves as a practical manual for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) of medical cannabis anywhere in the world and allows for objective auditing by qualified auditors.
What sets us apart
Our global reputation as a trusted certification body gives our clients a competitive edge, opening doors to key markets like the UK, European Union, Israel, and Australia.
Our certifications
CUMCS GAP (UK, Australia, EU)
Certifying medical cannabis cultivation in compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GACP).
Benefits:
- Provides globally recognized certification for international
markets. - Applicable to indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor cultivation.
- Allows the use of living soils and organic fertilizers.
GACP Declaration (UK, Australia, EU)
Ensures compliance with Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP).
Benefits:
- Serves as a key requirement for export to major global markets.
- Ensures quality and safety from planting to harvest.
CUMCS IMC-GAP (Israel)
An advanced certification that integrates GACP principles with Israel’s specific IMC-GAP market requirements.
Key Differentiators:
- First certification body to adopt the updated version 1.2, making the process easier, faster, and more cost-effective.
- Includes initial and unannounced audits to ensure ongoing
compliance. - Features updated post-harvest handling standards in alignment
with EU-GMP regulations.
The CUMCS-GAP standard is based on
At the end of 2020, medical cannabis farms in the following countries have been certified: Lesotho, Uganda, South Africa, North Macedonia, Portugal, Spain, Canada, and Colombia. Soon also farms in Uruguay, Australia and other European countries will be certified.
-
The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines: WHO Guidelines on good agricultural & collection practices (GACP) for medicinal plants – Geneva 2003
-
European Medicines Agency (EMA GACP): guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin(July 2005);
-
Guidelines of the Dutch Government for Cannabis for Medical Use: Guidelines for cultivating cannabis for medicinal purposes, Nederland, December 2002;
-
International Standard for Good Agriculture Practice: GLOBALG.A.P. IFA 4.0 (FV), March 2013.
-
The scope of CUMCS-GAP covers medical Cannabis propagation, cultivation and post-harvest processes and is fully compliant with both the WHO and EMA GACP guidelines. Certified organizations will receive both CUMCS-GAP certificate and GACP compliance certificate for both the WHO as well as EMA GACP guidelines.
Let’s take your operation global!
