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August 4, 2021 No Comments

Beauty from within

Why is CBD a great skincare ingredient?

The health, beauty and wellness industries often focus on topical products to help consumers improve and care for their skin. These are products such as balms, gels, creams, oils and moisturisers which are applied onto the skin to improve its condition and appearance. However, what people often overlook is that the quality of your skin very much reflects your internal bodily processes. That is to say, even though your skin is on the outside, its health and wellness starts from the inside.

March 29, 2021 No Comments

Time for the CBD industry to take some of its own medicine and calm down

For the past few years, the CBD industry in both the UK and Europe has been growing at an unprecedented rate. Although the market, and knowledge in and around the industry, still stands slightly behind how rapidly things have moved in America – industries in the UK and Europe have still boomed, and continue to do so. In January 2019, a moment that you could also stamp as the period that CBD was moving firmly from the fringes of health foods and into the mainstream, the European Union officially listed CBD extracts and isolates under the Novel Foods act.

The European Union officially listed CBD extracts and isolates under the Novel Foods act.

At the time, some may have viewed this piece of legislation as somewhat archaic. The novel foods act defines food “that has not been consumed to a significant degree by humans in the EU before 15 May 1997”. Now, seeing as the benefits of hemp have only been rediscovered on a large scale in the West in the last decade, it seems evident that of course it was not consumed “to a significant degree by humans in the EU’ in 1997.

But like most things that fall through the echelons of bureaucracy, this legislation is essentially a paperwork task for CBD producers and manufacturers. That is to say, that this novel food ruling should in no way have impeded the product, sales, and consumption of CBD in the UK and the EU over the past couple of years.

The novel food act still very much allows for items listed as ‘novel foods’ to be sold, but they require an application and certification for their status.

It has been well known within the industry for quite some time that the novel food act was going to be implemented across countries in the EU as well as the UK. Some companies may have been hesitant when it came to the UK and questioned whether Brexit would impact this, i.e. would the European Commission still have ruling power.

So what do we know? Those in the industry should have known, for some time now, that the applications for Novel Food status must be submitted by the 31st of March. This is all manufacturers and producers of CBD. And the applications for novel food status are not granted per company, but rather per product, meaning that all products which are manufactured in the same way will only require one certificate. But a manufacturer may have to submit several applications if they produce a variety of products and product forms.

The information that certificates are granted due to the production process and not with the company name has a seismic impact on what this means for many sellers and resellers of CBD products. We’re going to explain this in greater depth in just a second.

But first, we feel, it’s crucial to address the uncertainty that the seemingly sudden imposition of the 31st of March deadline for novel food status application has created in and around the CBD industry. A feeling of panic has been cast across white label, private label and wholesale clients. There is palatable anxiety from these clients asking will their products be taken off the shelves? Will they be able to continue their business? Who is responsible for obtaining the correct certifications? And how do they stay up to date with the apparently constantly moving rules on legislation?

As everyone reading this should know, we are working in the industry of health and wellness, and a very substantial part of our mission is to help people find calm, naturally. So, what needs to be done? Instead of breeding panic, we – the custodians of the CBD industry – need to take some of our own medicine and calm down.

In terms of regulation, there has been a breakthrough this week for full-spectrum CBD as the EIHA (European Industrial Hemp Association) Novel Food Consortium passed an administrative check by the FSA (Food Standards Authority). The EIHA release the following statement:

“We are delighted to announce that both regular/full-spectrum and natural isolate products of EIHA consortium partners can remain for sale on the UK market, following both applications passing the key administrative check by the UK FSA.”

Moving forward, everyone (both suppliers and clients) needs clarity. And this means clarity at every step of the process in the supply chain. The greater the transparency, the more trust we can build in this industry, which will ultimately attract more customers, more clients, and much greater investment. If we continue to build in this way we can create more jobs, employ more people, and get our great products out into the world to even more people.

As long as the product which you are supplying is of good quality and abiding by the regulations and guidelines, you are fine – there is nothing to worry about and no good reason to panic. And an even less good reason to spread panic further down your supply chain! In this arena, the only ones who ought to be worrying are those cutting corners in their extraction and formulation process. This could look like a low-quality CBD extraction being used in products and a company that does not invoke independent third party laboratory testing, either because they simply don’t want to pay for it or because they have something to hide which would be revealed in the results.

So instead of viewing the need for this certification as a challenge, the industry should take it as a great opportunity to evolve and promote greater transparency amongst each other and a wider potential customer base. Like any new industry, the CBD market and those working in and around it, will need to stay on top of the latest education and political opinions as well as regulatory and legal requirements.

Stuart McKenzie, our Reakiro CEO, puts it quite simply:

“In my opinion, greater transparency to protect and educate the consumer will only be positive for the industry and allow it to truly flourish. The European CBD market is predicted to grow 400% in the next four years. Timing is everything and the time is now!”
Stuart McKenzie

If you’re a CBD manufacturer or supplier, this is your opportunity to remain calm and act like a leader. Promoting transparency along your supply chain, and communicating fully with white label, private label and wholesale customers about this piece of legislation and how this affects the company and sales of products will build a healthier trusting relationship and consequently a healthier business.

March 25, 2021 No Comments

How your business is affected by Novel Food regulations & our solutions

Working in the world of CBD in the European Union, you may often hear the term ‘novel food’ being used. Or perhaps you’ve never heard of this term, in which case reading this guide and article is essential. You may have wondered how CBD is classified, of course we know it’s a great plant-based supplement, but in terms of bureaucracy and paperwork – how is it officially referred to? It’s not a medical-grade drug, it’s not food or drink, and it’s not a chemical. In the EU there is a category known as ‘Novel Food’ and this is where CBD falls. We’re going to take a look into what it means to have novel food status, how to acquire it, and how this affects the production and sales of CBD for manufacturers and partners.

What is ‘Novel Food’?

The term Novel Food is classified by the European Commission as a way of defining food “that has not been consumed to a significant degree by humans in the EU before 15 May 1997,” which is when the first regulation on novel food came into action. This could be a newly developed food product, food produced using innovative technology, or even a food that is traditionally eaten in other parts of the world but not to a significant extent in the European Union. According to the Novel Food Catalogue (which lists products that have been classified as novel foods), a novel food can be of plant, animal, or another origin – essentially it could be anything consumable!

In January 2019, the European Commission officially listed CBD extracts and isolates under the Novel Foods act.

While the Novel Food Catalogue itself does not have explicit legal powers or status, it is used by the European Commission to inform decisions about new novel foods and the legislation on novel foods on the market. To put this into the context of CBD, CBD extract and isolate products have been legally classified as novel foods. This classification is an overarching umbrella for CBD in the European Union, it is then the individual decision of the member countries to legislate and regulate CBD within the realm of novel food. If you plan on doing business with other countries in the EU, be sure to check whether they have their own rules in terms of novel food legislation.

The UK’s position on CBD as a novel food

Obviously, everything right now that concerns the UK, the EU, and any kind of shared legislation – is causing a bit of a paperwork headache. Although the UK has officially left the EU, and we are currently in the transition period, the European Commission’s ruling on novel food status for CBD products will stand in place. However, this does not mean that businesses will continue as usual without any changes, all manufacturers and producers of CBD products are required to complete a Novel Foods application by the end of this month, 31 March.

All manufacturers and producers of CBD products are required to complete a Novel Foods application by the end of this month, 31 March.

Applications for novel food status are not granted one per company or manufacturer, but rather each product. For example, if a company was selling CBD oil, CBD capsules, and CBD gummies – they would be required to complete three separate applications. Meanwhile, if there were four different flavours of gummy, this would only require one certificate/one application as they are manufactured in the same way.

Without novel foods approval, companies risk having their products removed from shelves in both UK and EU markets.

What’s Reakiro’s position when it comes to novel food status?

In order to help our wholesale, private label, and white label partners to the best of our ability, Reakiro has joined the European Industrial Hemp Association’s (EIHA) Novel Food Consortium application. If you recall, previously we mentioned that a certificate was needed per product, but then that certificate would apply for all products manufactured in the same way.

The EIHA has formed a separate company – GmbH – which is responsible for managing members’ novel food applications and authorisation processes. This consortium is effective in ensuring that similar products on the market can benefit from the same application, therefore minimising the time and paperwork that individual companies have to spend to get the right certification.

Under the EIHA’s consortium system, the association will submit novel food applications for the following four categories of hemp extract:

Isolate – pure cannabidiol (CBD,) with all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavinoids removed, in hemp seed oil
Gold – extract/distillate, honey-coloured, partial or complete decarboxylated, from Cannabis Sativa L Extract, in hemp seed oil
Regular – Cannabis Sativa L extract, almost completely decarboxylated, in hemp seed oil
Raw – Cannabis Sativa L extract, not thermally treated (non-decarboxylated), in hemp seed oil

CBD content in its final formulation can be up to 10% while the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) must read below 0.2%

The EIHA have stated that in order to cover their members across the whole European market, including the UK, they “will submit two NF applications: one to the UK Food Safety Authority (FSA) for the British market, and the other to EFSA for the EU market.”

How does this help white label, private label, and wholesale Reakiro clients?

The EIHA will be issuing sublicenses to EIHA members and their partners in the consortium, and these sublicenses must be purchased in the next few weeks. There will be a more expensive licensing system for non-EIHA members.

After the consortium of EIHA members has been granted authorisation, the sublicenses which have been previously acquired can be activated. The sublicence acquirer (the CBD producer who is both an EIHA member and consortium partner) must handle these sublicenses.

Here’s what you can do to get a sublicense from Reakiro:

Define your category of sublicensee fees based on your CBD related turnover.
Get documents that confirm CBD related turnover for the last three years, consolidated and average (e. g. 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 / 3 = 2), confirmed by your tax consultant (e. g. pages of balance stamped and signed by a tax consultant) OR if your company is newly registered – last consolidated balance AND expected turnover.
Fill out the details of the sub-license agreement.
Print and sign it and send a scanned copy together with turnover information to our legal counsel karina@reakiro.com
After confirmation send physical copies to our lawyer’s office in Poland: Radca Prawny Robert Wilewski, Kancelaria Radcy Prawnego, ul. Okulickiego 20, 35-206 Rzeszow For attention of: Tomasz Manderla +48 606 632 139.
Pay the first instalment of sub-license fees to our bank account.

Applications for novel food licenses can take a significant amount of time to process and ultimately be approved, and this long time frame also applies to sublicenses. It’s vital that you speak to your supplier as soon as possible about your novel food status. Without the correct licensing and certification there is a sizeable risk that your CBD products could be removed from shelves in the UK and across the European Union.

The team at Reakiro are specialised in the area of novel food licences and certifications for white label, private label, and wholesale partners. Please do not hesitate to get in touch today so that we can discuss the next steps.

December 9, 2020 No Comments

5 Things to Know About the Cannabis Industry

Getting into the cannabis industry has never been a hotter topic than it is now. From sports stars to wellness enthusiasts, everyone wants a piece of this industry. And who can blame them? In the past decade, cannabis has undergone a transformation in the public eye, and much of this is thanks to the rise of CBD (cannabidiol). The CBD industry is predicted to be valued at $20 billion by 2024, and with the rising interest in health, wellness, and natural alternatives – this figure is only looking to rise.

However, like all good things in life, breaking into the cannabis industry entails hard work, dedication, and the right knowledge.

We’re here today to help you get a head start on your venture into the cannabis industry with the five things you need to know before you start a CBD business.

The difference between hemp and marijuana

This is a crucial place to begin. Although public education on cannabis has improved massively in recent years, there is still some way to go. Initially, when you tell people you work with cannabis you may be at the receiving end of some inquisitive faces or some pushback. You will find yourself explaining that no, you are not a drug dealer, and neither are you a massive stoner.

What needs to be explained and understood is the crucial difference between hemp and marijuana.

The cannabis plant family reaches far and wide, and hemp and marijuana are just two types of cannabis. But although they belong to the same family, there are crucial differences in their chemical compositions and consequent effects.

Plants from the cannabis family have an effect on the human body due to compounds known as cannabinoids, or more specifically when they originate in a plant, phytocannabinoids. Marijuana has a particularly high amount of the phytocannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). This compound is wholly responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana, the feelings associated with being ‘high’.

Meanwhile, hemp – the plant from which CBD is extracted – has minimal THC content. The strains of hemp which are cultivated in order to produce CBD are chosen due to the high amount of CBD, and the low amount of THC. In fact, it is a legal requirement for all CBD products to have a THC content of less than 0.2%, so you will never experience any mind-altering effects as a result of taking CBD.

So if it’s not mind-altering, how does CBD interact with the body? Good question! Inside all of us, there is a system, made up of sets of receptors, called the endocannabinoid system (or the ECS). This is how all cannabinoids and phytocannabinoids take effect within us. When CBD meets these receptors it signals in a number of ways, including controlling the release of certain hormones which affects the way we experience stress and pain. Additionally, CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Who are you trying to sell to

One of the many incredible things about being a part of the cannabis industry is the diversity of the demographic. CBD has many effects and can be formulated and marketed towards different needs and requirements.

Let’s take a look at some of the uses of CBD:

To soothe pain
To better the quality of your sleep
To relax sore muscles
To boost the immune system
To address skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis
To aide recovery between workouts and sports games
To calm down and relax

First of all, we should acknowledge how amazing it is that one natural chemical compound can do all of these things. But it’s also crucial to recognise that the same product will not suffice for multiple uses. For example, while a CBD facial cream will help calm down products, you probably would not be keen to try and use that to boost your immune system. Depending on the issue you are trying to address, it’s so important to pick the right product form.

Luckily, CBD is a very versatile ingredient. On the market today you can find it in essentially every form: as an oil, a vape juice, face cream, skin cream, massage oils, in food and drinks, in capsules, and as a spray – amongst many other creative innovations. Once you have decided which issues you want to concentrate on with your CBD business, find the product form which best matches your target audience’s wants and needs. For example, if you want to help those with arthritis you won’t be producing a flavoured CBD vape juice for them, and if you want to help athletes, they probably won’t be looking for a facial cream.

How the cannabis industry works (and how it is growing)

While we are celebrating the success and boom of the cannabis industry (which is ongoing), in many ways this sudden expansive growth is a double-edged sword. Owing to the fact that the legality of CBD based products can differ not only from country to country but actually from state to state, this makes it incredibly difficult for there to be one established regulatory body.

The cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.

The cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world, yet this lack of regulation has given way to the emergence of low-grade companies who wish to cash in quickly on something they view as a trend. Consequently (and unfortunately), this means that there are a fair amount of products on the market that arent what they claim to be, either in quality or in CBD content. This can make people mistrusting, and can also give CBD a bad name if customers feel like they have bought an ineffective product.

You need to ensure that you are within the regulations of your country or state when setting up a CBD business. This for example could be a lower limit of THC content allowed or a limitation on the types or amount of products you can sell. And after having established that you are within your legal rights, you will need to establish your business as legitimate among the competition; we will look into how this can be done in the next two tips so stay with us.

The limitations in advertising

In the same way that the legality of CBD products can vary from country to country, and state to state, so do the limitations on how you can advertise a cannabis product. Establish what you can and can’t do before you set out to do anything. The limits can mean that sometimes you can promote your brand but not the product, you may have more freedom online or in print, and any medical claims will need to be handled extremely sensitively – or avoided. A popular method of promotion for many cannabis businesses is through collaborations, this could be with influencers, other brands, or initiatives. For expert guidance in the area, we would suggest that you find a partnership with an established CBD manufacturer to guide you through.

Finding the right support

Hopefully, you haven’t been daunted by any of the prospects in this guide because after all, the hard work that is put into entering the cannabis industry is rewarded ten times back. But why go into something blind, when someone who knows the way could share a map and show you the way?

By partnering with an established player in the CBD industry you can gain a wealth of knowledge, which will save you time and money. But this is not all, by finding an established partner who offers either CBD wholesale, CBD white-label, or CBD private-label services, you could start your journey at least 20 steps ahead. This kind of partnership is beneficial for newcomers in multiple ways.

First, you have the assurance that you are using a quality product from seed to shelf without having to do the work or investment required to cultivate hemp or extract CBD.

Second, you can already see how the market reacts to these products and how effective they are.

And finally, you will have a partner to mentor you through the high strung hoops which make up the CBD industry, from branding and marketing to regulatory advice.

There are a few more than five things that you will need to consider prior to entering the cannabis industry, but this is a solid jumping-off point. Establish an understanding of the natural compound (that being the CBD) you’re going to be working with and bringing into people’s lives, ask yourself what this product is going to do for your customers and how you’re going to bring it to them, and never be shy to find a partnership with a company already in the industry. Know your product, know your market, and know how you wish to move forward.

Reakiro offers CBD Wholesale, CBD White-label, and CBD private-label services with our premium grade CBD which is grown under EU regulation. If there’s anything you want to discuss from our services to beginning your journey into the cannabis industry (and everything in between) do not hesitate to get in touch with a friendly member of our team.

November 17, 2020 No Comments

White-label solutions for businesses looking to expand into the CBD industry

The CBD industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world right now, and it shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

CBD (cannabidiol) started to shoot up in popularity around five years ago. Until then, the cannabis-derived (cannabis sativa) compound was not associated with the health and wellness industry, but rather people assumed it had similar qualities to cannabis (cannabis indica) that is used recreationally and associated with mind-altering effects.

But as indicated through the two different names, cannabis sativa and cannabis indica, these are two different types of plants, and consequently two different end products. CBD is a compound, also known as a phytocannabinoid, which interacts with our bodies through a diverse set of receptors, present in the nervous system and immune system. Studies have found that when CBD communicates with these receptors, it can affect the process and regulation of many hormonal and chemical processes and responses in our body. This is why CBD is used for a wide variety of conditions, including pain management, muscle recovery, relaxation from stress and anxiety, and skin treatments.

CBD products have permeated an eclectic and impressive number of sectors in their rise to prominence. The medical world is constantly researching how this compound could be used to treat illnesses such as epilepsy, arthritis, and Parkinson’s. The sports world has adopted CBD as a natural alternative for pain management, as well as a way to manage performance nerves and fine-tune focus and attention. The cosmetics industry has clocked on to the natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of CBD, making it the ultimate skincare ingredient. And last (in this list, which is certainly not exhaustive) the food and drinks industry has been formulating all kinds of products for people to get a good boost from this natural supplement.

Owing to the fact that CBD is beneficial across such a wide range of sectors, it is not surprising that not only new CBD companies are springing up, but also that existing companies are expanding their business to incorporate CBD. In light of the industry’s growth, in 2019 Forbes predicted that the market could reach $20 billion by 2024, and a year on this summer the publication proclaimed that CBD is here to stay.

One of the biggest issues within the CBD industry is the wild nature of the unregulated market. The speed at which the industry went from largely unknown, to CBD products being seen on every high street, has meant that the growth beat people’s ability to educate themselves on how CBD can be and should be produced and used. Consequently, this has left space in the market for low-grade operations who do not care to produce high-quality hemp-based products. These companies simply wish to cash in on something they believe to be ‘a trend’ and will sell ineffective and misleading products to both businesses and consumers.

All CBD consumers and honest vendors find this side of the industry incredibly frustrating. Particularly when they are a business that wishes to bring hemp into people’s lives to improve their wellbeing while educating about the plant’s potentials (separating it from the ideas and notions attached to marijuana).

As a business looking to expand into the CBD industry, there are a couple of things that you want to take care of in the best way possible to ensure that your venture is meaningful and successful. Both of these ultimately can be taken care of with a white-label solution (which we will visit in due course).

Decide your purpose

You need to ask yourself, and your team, why do you want to bring more CBD products into the market. What will your brand of CBD do differently, and who could it reach? As mentioned previously, the uses of CBD extract spreads across industries from food to skincare. And although one plant can do it all, you will probably not be able to cover all bases when starting out. When you know who your audience is, you can start shaping your product identity. But this isn’t a journey you need to go on alone …

Find a trusted CBD manufacturer

Entering the CBD industry can be a daunting, not to mention expensive, task. To do it all alone, you would need to establish hemp cultivation, an extraction facility, and the expertise needed to extract the compound properly. And even then, you may have a product which is not proven to be good just yet, and you would still be lacking a lot of knowledge about how the market works.

This is why teaming up with the right CBD manufacturer and finding a white-label solution will make your expansion into the CBD industry easier, cheaper, and more effective.

If this is the first time you’ve heard about or considered a white-label solution, let’s take a look at what exactly this entails.

A white-label CBD partnership would allow your business to team up with an established manufacturer who has had plenty of experience in the industry. Essentially you would be able to use their product models and formulations (for example CBD oil, CBD spray, CBD skincare) but with your own branding, so that it fits in with an existing range, or you can launch something entirely new. As the established manufacturer would be taking care of the cultivation, extraction, and formulation of the CBD product – as a business you are able to enjoy the end result without the heavy lifting!

Reakiro offers a bespoke CBD white-label service for businesses who are looking to expand into the CBD industry.

Here’s what we offer, and what we can do with and for you, in order to help launch a successful range of CBD products:

Carefully cultivated hemp

Starting from the beginning to the CBD lifecycle, and at the beginning of Reakiro’s life as an established company, a lot of care and attention was dedicated to laying the foundation. That is to say, before going to market, Reakiro spent two years researching the best strains of hemp for CBD extract as well as finding the most arable fields for the cultivation of the plant. In the end we settled on two locations in Europe: Spain and Lithuania. All of our fields are compliant with strict EU regulations.

Expert extraction

So we have some superbly grown hemp, full of all the cannabinoids and terpenes which will bring all the health and wellness benefits we’re after – but this is only just the start! Of course, in it’s raw form you cannot sell a hemp plant as CBD. In order to make it accessible we need to undergo the extraction process. In our extraction facilities we have employed the knowledge of extraction experts as well as innovative technology. To set this up is neither a cheap nor straight-forward task, which is one of the reasons why it is highly advisable to use a white-label solution when joining the CBD industry.

Third party independent lab testing

We claim that our extraction facility is far above the rest, and earlier we warned of low-grade operations. But what separates the men from the boys? How can we prove to people that our extract is in fact of superior quality? The answer: third party independent laboratory testing. Again, undergoing this process is not a low expense, so when a company can display test certificates it’s a sign that their operation is to be trusted. The test results (which are carried out for every batch of our extract) report the potency of the extract, the presence and amount of differing cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids – as well as checking the purity of the extract and confirmation that there are no contaminants such as pesticides of heavy metals.

Brand creation and consultation

Thanks to the white-label solution, we will have taken care of the last three steps for you. Now you will have an almost final form of your CBD product (whether it’s oil, capsules, skin care, or another form) and you can market it in the optimal way for your business. Obviously, no one knows your business and brand identity better than you, but at Reakiro we have CBD market expertise which we want to share. By partnering up we can work together to create and market your CBD range in the best way possible.

If you’re looking to move into the CBD market with your business, we highly recommend looking into a white-label solution. The CBD market is such an exciting and evolving place to be right now, and the bigger it grows the more everyone is learning about the positive wellness benefits of this natural plant-based compound. From professional athletes to medical researchers, so many people’s lives are being touched by CBD. However, all this excitement doesn’t come without its drawbacks. As a consumer and a vendor, you need to be aware of low-grade operations who are not honest to the trade and are selling an ineffective ‘CBD extract’. To bring a high quality product to market, with minimal stress and maximum yield, partner up with a trusted CBD manufacturer who will guide you through the process quickly and smoothly. Before you know it, your own business will be the sought after place to buy CBD.

October 22, 2020 1 Comment

Successful CBD Business: Your definitive guide

The natural potential of CBD (cannabidiol) is no longer a secret. More and more people are learning how CBD could improve their wellbeing and quality of life, and an ever-increasing number of businesses are discovering how they could utilise this natural resource. This boom in the CBD market has been so colossal that leading cannabis researchers BDS Analytics predicted that the US market alone could reach $20 billion in sales by 2024. This study took place in 2019, prior to the Covid-19 which Forbes noted provoked a soar in demand for CBD products. In short, CBD is here to stay – so are you getting on board?

Here’s your definitive guide to starting a successful CBD business, whether it’s wholesale, white label, or private label.

Knowing your CBD

Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid and is extracted from the hemp plant, which is part of the cannabis family – but CBD is not the only phytocannabinoid, which can lead to crucial differences in your CBD extract. In fact, there are more than 100 phytocannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis plants. The two most powerful of these are CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which you may know as being responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. CBD-based products do not have mind-altering effects, the levels of THC in hemp is significantly lower, and in most countries, the levels must be kept below 0.2% to be legal.

However, although CBD is the crucial phytocannabinoid, you may not necessarily want to extract it on its own. It is possible to obtain an extract which is only CBD, but studies have shown that when the phytocannabinoids (as well as terpenes and flavonoids) are kept together in the extract as they present naturally in the plant – they synergise and the overall effect is more impactful. Full-spectrum extracts contain all the natural elements which are found in the hemp plant, meanwhile broad-spectrum has 0% THC but contains everything else.

In general, full-spectrum CBD extract is the most favourable choice. But depending on your business and product line, your chosen CBD manufacturer will be able to advise you best.

What kind of CBD business is best for you?

CBD Wholesale

If your business is set up, you’re raring to go, and the only thing you need to do is find the right CBD products to add to your shelves, then wholesale CBD could be the best option for you. By partnering with a wholesale service, you will know exactly what the finished product is and how it performs before you go to market. It also means that you can ride on the wave of the label’s establishment in the CBD market, which is incredibly beneficial as breaking into a booming industry comes with all kinds of challenges.

CBD White Label

White label products allow you to create your own, branded line of products, with the guarantee of high-quality CBD. Setting up your own CBD operation, from start to finish including cultivation and extraction, is a costly and time-consuming endeavor. Of course, you don’t want to cut corners, and you want your customers to have access to the very best CBD. Consequently, pairing with a trusted white label CBD manufacturer will allow you to use their extract and formulated products with your own label. Entering the market as a newly established brand allows you to set your own price points and choose your competitors.

CBD Private Label

White label and private label are often confused, but there is a crucial difference between them, and this could make all the difference to your CBD business. Private label allows you to collaborate with the CBD manufacturer during the formulation process, meaning your CBD product will be completely unique and a creation of your company, while benefiting from the knowledge, expertise, and resources of the experienced CBD manufacturer.

When choosing a CBD manufacturer and identifying the right kind of partnership it is important to take your ideal product range into consideration. Today, CBD comes in all shapes and sizes – starting with the original CBD oil, this has expanded into vapes, capsules, sprays, topicals, and skincare products amongst others. Depending on your brand identity and target demographic, your choice of product may differ. This will help you identify which manufacturer is best for your CBD business, and also help to decide whether white label or wholesale is the wisest choice, or if you would prefer to help formulate a new product.

While an excellent product is at the core of a successful CBD business, there are other factors that play a key role in the elevation of a company. The CBD industry is booming, but still largely unregulated, which has given way to a large number of loopholes and low quality companies. Partnering with the right manufacturer will help to avoid being caught up in the wrong end of the market, and there are certain ways to identify who can help you. Look for a company that is transparent, in both their production and the quality of their products which can be understood via independent third party lab testing (provided by all high grade companies). Another way of understanding your manufacturer is by reviewing the products that they already have on the market and how they perform.

October 6, 2020 No Comments

5 Tips to Help You Choose The Right CBD Manufacturer

So, you’re thinking about launching a CBD business or a CBD product range within your established business, and this is a great moment to do it. People across the world are becoming more and more conscientious about their health and wellness, and in the past few years, the cannabidiol (CBD) industry has developed in leaps and bounds thanks to pioneering research and manufacturers. Today, CBD is used for a wide variety of conditions and ailments, from sports recovery and improved wellness to reduced anxiety and pain management. There is barely a demographic out there who can not benefit in one way or another from the natural therapeutic properties of plant-based CBD products. Helping people be happier and healthier thanks to the effects of a natural plant-based product is a project which you should be immensely proud of, but there may still be pitfalls and growing pains.

Whether you’re looking to go to market with wholesale products, white label, or private label – the first thing you need to do is find the right manufacturer. But this is easier said than done; due to the largely unregulated nature of the CBD market, there is an abundance of low quality products made by unreputable manufacturers.

Finding the right manufacturer is one of the primary concerns for new CBD businesses. The right manufacturer will make your CBD journey easy, efficient, and beneficial – so we’ve compiled our top five tips to help you find the right CBD manufacturer.

Top five tips to help you find the right CBD manufacturer

CULTIVATION

Good CBD needs to be the best from the beginning, and this means using the best strain of cannabis and cultivating it in the optimal environment.

Companies such as Reakiro recognise the importance of prioritising the process of cultivation, this is reflected in the time Reakiro took to research the best strains of hemp for CBD extraction and find the most arable fields in Europe to grow it. By having control and overview of the cultivation process, a manufacturer can offer consistency and full transparency about their operation from seed to shelf. With seed to sale transparency, you can also track the potency of CBD extract and determine the presence of certain phytocannabinoids and terpenes. Additionally, depending on where the hemp plants are grown, as a business partner, you will want to verify what certifications the manufacturer has and which regulations they comply with – which can vary from country to country. Reakiro’s hemp is all grown in compliance with the European Union’s regulations.

PRODUCTION AND EXTRACTION

When picking a CBD manufacturer, do your research to learn about their extraction process and the transparency of the methods used.

The most complex and expensive part of manufacturing CBD-based products is the extraction process, which is why when you’re getting started in the CBD industry it’s best to pair with a trusted manufacturer who can show you the ropes without incurring the cost of setup and the learning process. However, due to the recent boom in the market, many low-grade operators have seen this moment as a good opportunity to quickly cash in. Consequently, the quality of their product is not of premium grade as they have no intention of making a name in the industry, rather their interests lie in turning over the largest profit in the shortest amount of time. When picking a CBD manufacturer, do your research to learn about their extraction process and the transparency of the methods used. If you have any questions someone from the company should walk you through their methods in detail.

THIRD PARTY LAB TESTING

All legitimate CBD manufacturers should obtain and openly supply third party independent laboratory testing certificates.

Throughout this guide to help you find the right CBD manufacturer, we have mentioned the need to make sure the product you’re dealing with is high quality and also consistent. And maybe you are wondering just how you can verify these things before jumping into a partnership. All legitimate CBD manufacturers should obtain and openly supply third party independent laboratory testing certificates which show the dosage and potency of the CBD extract, consistency between batches, suitability for vegans, while also checking for the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants. These documents are called COAs (Certificates of Analysis). Another aspect to verify is whether your manufacturer is GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified, a certification awarded by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for the highest manufacturing practices.

EXISTING CUSTOMER REVIEWS

From a less technical standpoint, you will also want to know how the chosen manufacturer’s product performs from the customer’s experience. Reading what people candidly think about CBD products from your chosen manufacturer will be the closest prediction of how your products (wholesale, white label, or private label) will perform when they go to market. Check out review sites such as Trusted Shops where customers can only leave a review after confirmation of buying a product or head to social media so find out how people are reacting.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

While you may think you are only looking for a CBD manufacturer to supply you with the core product, launching a CBD business can be quite a complex process so having a partner to guide you through the aspects is invaluable. Perhaps you will seek advice regarding the regulations from country to country, branding and design consultancy, or launch strategy. Pairing with a CBD manufacturer who is prepared to go that extra mile and give a helping hand to a new business in the CBD industry will give you a head start thanks to their own experience and expertise. Excellent customer service is one of the pillars of an excellent business, so understanding how your potential manufacturer interacts with you is a reflection of how they run their operation.

Whichever direction you hope to take your CBD business in, hopefully, this guide will help you find the right manufacturer. Be patient when doing your research and talk to members of the team and get to know them, to learn and understand more about how the company works and the industry operates. Making rushed decisions will not serve well for the future of the business, especially given the ever-evolving and largely unregulated nature of the CBD industry. Nevertheless, finding the correct CBD manufacturer to guide you through your wholesale, white label, or private label venture will make for an exciting and informative journey.

September 25, 2020 No Comments

Why now is the right time to start your CBD business

Over the past few years, the CBD (cannabidiol) industry has been going from strength to strength. For early pioneers in the hemp and CBD industry, it hasn’t always been a smooth ride. But thanks to the work that has been done regarding educating both the public and businesses about the natural benefits of this plant, many have woken up to the potential of CBD.

Less than a decade ago, most people hadn’t heard about CBD, and those who did know about it made associations with cannabis, marijuana, and the psychoactive and mind-altering effects. In short, this was not the therapeutic health supplement that it is today. Nevertheless, in recent years people have begun to understand more about the potential of CBD – which has increased funding for scientific and medical research.

Studies have shown that due to the numerous ways in which CBD interacts with the human body, the effects of it range from anti-inflammatory and pain management to reduced stress and anxiety.

So why now?

One of the greatest benefits of CBD is its natural restorative properties. This means that when there is a chemical imbalance in the body, the phytocannabinoid will communicate to restore the natural balance. Consequently when the body needs to rest and heal, CBD is the perfect aid to this process.

Owing to the global pandemic that we’ve been living with for the past six months, and a long impending winter, people are thinking about their health more than ever. We’re being encouraged to do everything we can this winter to stay safe, from getting flu jabs to protecting our immune systems. For many, CBD is a part of their daily routine not to treat a pre-exisitng conditions, but rather to offer an internal strengthening and prevent future health threats.

Variation

Due to the established and evolving nature of the CBD industry, today there are countless product forms. This makes it easy for businesses to establish exactly what type of CBD experience their customer base would want. At the beginning of the CBD boom, CBD oil was the most common, and often only, option. For those who were unfamiliar with the compound, starting with an oil could seem daunting, inaccessible, or tricky to use. But now there are the options of capsules, sprays, and skincare products – to name a few.

And not only is there a variation in CBD-based products, but also variation in the different industries and markets that CBD touches. Here are just a few of the worlds that CBD is making a splash in right now:

Wellness

The wellness industry is one of the most lucrative markets in the world right now. Everybody is constantly trying to keep in check with their health and fitness, both mentally and physically. This requires creating a routine of healthy habits, these include a balanced and nutritional diet, exercise, and selfcare. CBD lends a helping hand to all of these facets, helping you manage your stress, improve your sleep, and boost your immune system.

Sports

More and more professional athletes are speaking out to champion their use of CBD. In sports, often people want to keep their diet, routine, and recovery programme as natural as possible. CBD has helped a number of sports stars, from golfers to rugby players, in their practise and in their recovery thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Cosmetics

As mentioned prior, CBD has incredible anti-inflammatory properties which is making it a fond favourite as a skincare ingredient treating a range of issues including eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Cannabidiol is also a natural antioxidant, working to fight and neutralise the damage that can be caused by free radicals. In essence, this keeps the skin looking young and feeling nourished, working as an anti-ageing agent.

Medicinal

Preliminary clinical studies are showing that CBD could have a massive impact on the medical world, particularly for those with chronic conditions who have tried all options available thus far. One of the hottest areas of study for medicinal CBD is epilepsy. In 2012 there was a well publicised story about a young girl with Dravet syndrome who was having up to 300 seizures a week. After she started taking CBD oil this number was reduced to two or three a month, meaning Charlotte could play, eat, and connect with those around her unlike before. Studies confirming the medicinal properties of CBD are still ongoing in the meantime, so it is not advised to make any medicinal claims.

Now you know why it’s the right time to start your CBD business, how exactly do you do it?

The first step is to get in touch with an established and trusted supplier. By partnering with a known member in the CBD industry you can gain a wealth of knowledge that can only come from years of experience working in this market, whether it’s tackling legal regulations or a new launch strategy – being able to get advice from someone in an established position will be invaluable for your companies growth.

Setting up a CBD business operation entirely independently, from seed to shelf, is a mammoth (not to mention extremely expensive) endeavor. Wouldn’t it be incredible if you could enter the market with a product you knew was high quality and well performing? When choosing to go down the route of wholesale or white label, you can pick a product which has proven success rates and happy customers.

At Reakiro we offer wholesale, white label, and private label services with our premium quality CBD oil. We’re a a leading European HACCP/GMP certified manufacturer and supplier of full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products, including CBD oils, CBD creams and CBD capsules. And we’re always ready to go the extra mile for our partners and customers, so if you have any questions from product design to marketing, we’re always here to help.

The development of the CBD industry in the past decade, combined with a reinforced global focus on health and wellness, makes now the right time to start your CBD business.

June 2, 2020 No Comments

Is CBD legal? The status of CBD Oils and Hemp Oils in the EU

We’re seeing CBD (cannabidiol) everywhere nowadays: online, health stores, and in cafes. But for some there is still a stigma around what CBD is, what it does, and whether it is legal. Obviously if you are buying or selling a product or ingredient, you want to know about its legal status – which we will go into now.

CBD is a naturally occurring compound extracted from industrial hemp. Industrial hemp is a strain of cannabis, which is where confusion is caused. CBD is one of over 120 cannabinoids found in cannabis plants, the other well known cannabinoid is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. However, industrial hemp has an incredibly low amount of THC (maximum 1% compared to 30% in marijuana).

Although it differs from country to country, generally the law states that if CBD is legally available, the THC content must be below a certain amount. For example, in the UK CBD products must have a THC content of less than 0.2%. This means that during the extraction process manufacturers must be careful to keep all the other components as they are naturally presented, but lower the THC level if it is above the regulated amount. THC levels should be displayed in both the product info and on third party laboratory results displayed on the CBD supplier’s website.

There are specifications in EU guidelines as to what classifies as a food product and what counts as a novel food product. To qualify as a food product, the ingredient in question must have been widely available to the EU market prior to May 15 1997. If the ingredient was not available to a significant degree before this time, it receives the title of ‘novel food’. Subsequently, different legal requirements must be met for each category.

Hemp seed oil was widely available on the EU market prior to 1997, consequently meaning that it can be classified as a food product. Additionally, hemp seed oil is made from pressing hemp seeds and does not contain any cannabinoids. This makes its legal stance much easier to define.

All EU countries must abide by the regulations of selling a novel food product if CBD is available on the market. Additionally, no medicinal claims can be made due to its status as a novel food product. CBD is currently legal across the majority of EU countries, although due to constant changes in regulation it is important to check the latest information for your country.

May 28, 2020 No Comments

CBD Industry Growth and Covid-19

COVID-19 has had a major impact on the global economy with nearly every industry feeling the impact. With so many people sheltering at home, most retail businesses are struggling to stay afloat or closing all together. The CBD industry is one of the few that has continued to grow throughout the lockdowns. So what is CBD and why is it continuing to grow during the pandemic?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring compound found in the hemp plant, which is now legal to cultivate in all 50 American states and across the European Union. There can be a confusion between CBD products and marijuana, because they both come from the same family of plants (cannabis), but CBD products are extracted from hemp with has little to no trace of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the psychoactive component – providing the ‘high’ when smoking weed.

With so many people forced to stay at home due to the coronavirus lockdowns, unable to work or socialize, a recent study revealed that 60% of people in the UK have experienced increased levels of anxiety. One of the primary reasons people use CBD is to help calm their feelings of anxiety.

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the single largest contributor to disability in the world, with anxiety ranking 6th. Anxiety and depression are most often treated with pharmaceutical drugs with a number of negative side effects including: sexual dysfunction, insomnia, headaches, drowsiness, etc. These medicines also tend to be addictive and can sometimes be abused.

CBD is not addictive and does not lead to the negative side effects listed above, but has been successful in studies of people and animals living with anxiety and depression. This is due to the CBD effect on the brain’s receptors of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behavior.

According to a 2019 study, up to 6 million people in the UK have tried CBD at least once. The most common reasons listed for using CBD are its calming and therapeutic effects. The study also demonstrated an increasing percentage of people who support the legalization of cannabis, which may stem from their experience with the benefits of CBD.

Many people in these times are also turning to CBD to combat insomnia. For some, the stress of isolation is compounded by financial stress and general concern for the future. They are getting less exercise, sunlight and stimulation, and more couch time than ever. When the mind is full of thoughts and worries, and the body is aching, sleep can be elusive. Insomnia affects so many other health and quality of life issues, which may also be a major factor in the continued growth of CBD use.

The current crisis may also be a factor in the increasing size of CBD doses. According to a recent study by the Brightfield Group, 15% of users planned to buy a higher dosage product due to the coronavirus and the struggles they are experiencing.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of stress and anxiety due to the pandemic, and you’re considering increasing your dosages, be sure to do your due diligence, consult your physician and stick with trusted brands.

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