Chain of Custody

The Laboratory Internal Chain of Custody documentation records the chronological traceability of custody (by authorized Person(s) or upon storage) and the actions performed on the Sample and any Aliquot of the Sample taken for Analytical Testing. 

General Instructions

Chain of Custody (COC)

[ § 5700. Definitions. (s) ]

“Chain of Custody” (COC) means the chronological documentation that records the sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposal of a sample.

Who needs to fill out and sign COC?

[ § 5305. Testing Sample. Section (d) ]

After the sample has been selected, both the licensed distributor and the laboratory employee shall sign and date the chain of custody form pursuant to section 5706 of this division, attesting to the sample selection having occurred.

[ § 5705. General Sampling Requirements.(e) ]

The laboratory shall complete a chain of custody form for each sample that the laboratory collects and analyzes.

Why do you need a COC?

[ § 5706. Chain of Custody (COC). (a) ]

The laboratory is required to implement a COC protocol to ensure accurate documentation is recorded for the transport, handling, storage, and destruction of samples.

Specific Instructions

The the use of a COC form and required protocol

[ § 5706. Chain of Custody (COC). (b) ]

The sampler shall use a COC to record the following information for each sampled batch:

1. Laboratory’s name, licensed premises address, and license number;
2. Date and time sampling started and ended;
3. Licensed distributor or licensed microbusiness’ name, licensed premises address, and license number;
4. Licensed cultivator’s, licensed manufacturer’s, or licensed microbusiness’ name, licensed premises address, and license number;
5. Batch number of the batch from which the representative sample was obtained and assigned unique sample identifier;
6. Sample matrix;
7. Total batch size, by weight, or unit count;
8. Total weight, or unit count of the representative sample;
9. Sampling conditions or problems encountered during the sampling process, if any;
10. Printed name and signature of the licensed distributor or licensed microbusiness’ authorized to engage in distribution employee; and
11. Printed name and signature of the sampler.

Custody Changes

[ § 5706. Chain of Custody (COC). (c-d) ]

Each time a sample changes custody between licensees, is transported, or is destroyed, the

date, time, and the names and signatures of persons involved in these activities shall be recorded on the COC form.

Once the custody of the sample changes between licensees, the COC form for that change of custody may not be altered. Authority: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 26100, 26102, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

Chain of Custody for Compliance Testing

• Will be issued by the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) private account.

Chain of Custody for R&D Testing

• Can be issued by the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) private account.
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