Ziel: Radio Frequency Technology & Cannabis Compliance In Europe

Regulatory compliance is not just a barrier in the rapidly changing legal cannabis scene, but also a means of gaining access to markets and achieving sustained success. We spoke with Arthur de Cordova, co-founder and CEO of Ziel.

Introducing Ziel

Ziel is a business at the forefront of microbial decontamination, using Radio Frequency (RF) technology to assist producers throughout Europe in meeting and surpassing EU Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

de Cordova discussed GMP, the science of radio frequency decontamination, and what it takes to stay ahead in a highly regulated, high-demand market like Germany at this year’s International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in Berlin. “Ziel was concentrating on pasteurizing food — nuts and seeds — when we bought it. However, we soon recognized the potential of our technology for the cannabis industry,” de Cordova remarked.

Radio Frequency technology: a new method of microbial decontamination for cannabis

Medical cannabis presents particular difficulties, despite the widespread use of pasteurization in the food industry. The European Pharmacopoeiamandates adherence to stringent microbiological requirements, including zero tolerance or decreased levels of yeast, mold, coliforms, and other pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli.

Radio Frequency is a non-ionizing radiation, and free from gas or chemicals. RF is also compliant with organic processes.

The real strength of Ziel’s Radio Frequency technology lies in this delicate balancing act between quality and safety. It preserves the delicate integrity of the flower during the process, including its color, terpenes, and cannabinoids. Unlike conventional thermal processes, where heat is generated by an external source and is transferred gradually to the material moving from surface to center, dielectric processes generate heat evenly inside the entire product mass – also known as “volumetric heating.”

“Consider it this way,” de Cordova said. In traditional ovens, the core is heated by overheating the outer borders. However, with RF, the entire flower is heated uniformly. The game-changer is the minimal product deterioration that results from this.

Ziel’s RF technology may accomplish up to 99.9% microbial pathogen reduction using this process while maintaining the flower’s potency and aesthetic appeal, which is crucial for medical applications

Ziel & EU GMP certification for cannabis

Known as EU Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), these regulations are the most stringent in the world and examine every aspect of any business that produces pharmaceutical or medical goods and wishes to sell them in the EU. They are different from cGMP in the US and Good Production Practices (GPP) in Canada. A number of variables affect the time it takes to obtain an EU GMP certification for cannabis, such as the amount of time it takes to gather data on the decontamination process with the equipment, the level of support from the local regulatory body, the number of problems the regulatory body discovers during their visit or visits, and the time to cure those problems.

To get ready for the industry’s future, cannabis operators are giving EU GMP Certification top priority right now. In order to start exporting to the EU as soon as federal prohibitions are removed, forward thinking U.S. companies are especially focused on obtaining EU GMP status. In addition to the potential for international exporting, obtaining the EU GMP Certification enables cannabis companies to ensure that their products are of high quality, thereby gaining the trust and loyalty of customers. The EU GMP certification is a massive asset for cannabis operators. It opens doors to the rapidly growing EU market, allowing for the export of both raw and finished products.

Ziel collaborated with German consultants to create a comprehensive GMP turnover package for their customers. This guarantees a smooth integration into operations that have received GMP certification and comprises all documentation for IQ (Installation Qualification), OQ (Operational Qualification), and PQ (Performance Qualification).

Everyone’s interest in the German market

The stakes are really high. Germany produced 35 tons of cannabis flowers in 2023, importing 32 tons. After the German Cannabis Act in April 2024, demand doubled to 75 tons by 2024.  72 tons were imported, with just 2.6 tons produced domestically.

Germany has strong profit margins and is a pharmaceutical-grade market. For example, Canadian producers are able to fetch three times the price in Germany compared to the Canadian domestic market. However, in order to enter, they have to adhere to GMP and change the way they decontaminate their flower.

The Canadian market’s go to strategy for decontaminating cannabis to meet regulatory compliance has been to use one of the existing ionizing radiation technologies: gamma, e-beam, or X-Ray.

For at least the next two to four years, the supply chain in Germany, as well as in many other EU countries, will be dominated by GMP-certified imports as domestic production gradually ramps up. More and more people believe that Ziel’s RF systems are essential to breaking into this profitable sector.

Ziel RF technology: A non-ionizing advantage for EU

European regulators are wary about ionizing technologies because of the possible effects they may have on the quality and safety of products, particularly in Germany, where there is a strong bias by both regulators and consumers. Any cannabis strain that undergoes exposure to ionizing radiation must face a lengthy and costly approval process by Germany’s BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices), a process taking up to 1 year and acn fee of €5,000 per strain, delaying speed to market.

Ziel’s RF technology, on the other hand, is an organic compatible process well received by the consumer, and is exempt from such regulatory restrictions. There is no need for an AMRADV certificate.

“We remove that significant obstacle for our clients,” de Cordova stated.

A future-ready solution for Europe

Ziel is invested in Europe beyond providing a compliance solution. Their RF equipment comes from Italy, ensuring local replacement parts and tariff-free access for European clients. This logistical planning protects customers from customs delays and reliance on U.S.-based goods. “Being EU-manufactured is not just a perk—it’s a strategic advantage,” de Cordova said, referring to the geopolitical tension around trade protection and tariff wars.

Although de Cordova did not reveal any upcoming announcements planned at Ziel, he did make some intriguing allusions.

“We continue to increase our investment in Europe. Furthermore, it is our responsibility to continue making compliance viable for our clients in the face of growing demand and regulatory complexity.”

In summary, the time has come for Ziel’s Radio Frequency (RF) technology. Ziel offers cannabis growers the best of both worlds. Product quality and regulatory compliance matter equally in the European market. Ziel’s non-ionizing, GMP-aligned RF technology is not just an option. It is the recommended solution as Germany and Europe tighten regulations for medical-grade cannabis.