PRESS RELEASE

16 June 2021

Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) announced today 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.

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 will be published this week.

This 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 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’s Brussels office complements the association’s activities in the UK and will allow us to provide our 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 our members within the European institutions.

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 the European regulatory authorities for our member base, which includes companies from around the world.

“Having emerged as the most credible option for companies requiring market authorisation for their cannabinoid products in the UK,” says Dr Parveen Bhatatah, who heads up ACI’s consultancy team, “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.

ACI European information session

For those wanting to meet the European team and learn more about our activities moving forward in Europe we’ve arranged a free online webinar at 11am CET (10am UK time) on Thursday 24th June 2021.

Register for ACI Europe information session:
​https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KcjrqJZMRg64tKe4Hi1juw

Location

Located on Square de Meeûs, ACI’s new office, which offers a luxurious meeting space, is located a short walk to the European Parliament and European Commission and is conveniently placed for train and Metro for those visiting from out of Brussels.

More information

For more information and to read about the benefits of ACI membership please see http://www.theaci.eu