The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) has announced the opening of a new Brussels office as they expand their membership offering into the European Union (EU) for the first time.
ACI was established in 2019 as the UK’s leading membership association for companies operating within the newly regulated consumer cannabinoid sector. The founding vision of the ACI was to create an innovative and ethical sector with the highest standards of product quality, consumer satisfaction and regulatory compliance.
Since its formation, the ACI has helped 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.
Establishing an industry in the UK
In 2020, ACI launched a landmark safety study consortium to generate new data to meet the compliance requirements of the new novel foods regulations. This year, the association has been working with the UK Prime Minister’s new Taskgroup on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform to establish a footprint for the industry in policy and politics. Their report and recommendations were published this week.
Expanding into Europe
The European expansion coincides with multiple additions to the team who bring a wealth of experience in the European legal cannabinoid extract supply chain, enabling ACI to marry the experience within the core team.
In the wake of the UK’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’s Brussels office complements the association’s activities in the UK and will allow the association to provide its members with bespoke regulatory and compliance services, such as assisting with novel food applications to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and lobbying efforts on behalf of its members within the European institutions.
A European presence will also enable the association to assist European companies looking to enter the lucrative UK market whilst simultaneously providing a platform for engagement with the European regulatory authorities for our member base, which includes companies from around the world.
Dr Parveen Bhatatah, who heads up ACI’s consultancy team, said: “Having emerged as the most credible option for companies requiring market authorisation for their cannabinoid products in the UK. We are delighted to be able to bring this wealth of experience to European market authorisation applications.”
“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,” noted Steve Moore, ACI co-founder and Lead Counsel.
