What is a recall, and why is it important?
A product recall is a serious event and must be responded to quickly and carefully. Recalls for cannabis products may occur as a result of a Ministerial Order by Health Canada, the Licensed Producer who produced the product, or the OCS. Depending on the nature of the recall, procedures may vary, and it is important to understand your obligations.
It is important for Authorized Retailers to take the necessary steps to become familiar with the applicable rules and to have systems in place to respond appropriately for public safety. Failing to appropriately follow the procedures in a recall situation could result in regulatory action taken by the applicable regulator(s).
Your obligations as an Authorized Retailer include:
- Tracking products: You’re required to track all cannabis products in your system by batch or lot. This system should be able to report on the number of items on hand, sold and returned by customers.
- Creating a recall procedure: You’re required to have a recall procedure in place that ensures all staff are aware of the urgency of a recall and outlines what steps to take.
For more recall information, please review the Authorized Cannabis Retailer’s Handbook.
What to do when you receive a Product Recall Notice
In the event of a product recall, OCS Wholesale issues a Product Recall Notice through email, the OCS B2B Portal and OCS.ca. Specific information about the recalled product and any required action will be outlined. The OCS will provide guidance on a case-by-case basis for next steps for unsold products that are quarantined as a result of the recall, taking into consideration the scope and type of recall. The OCS may ask you to destroy unsold product in accordance with the AGCO Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores or ask for unsold products to be shipped back to the OCS Distribution Centre.
Immediate Recall Steps for Authorized Retailers
- Carefully review the instructions outlined in the Product Recall Notice from the OCS.
- In accordance with the AGCO Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores, segregate the recalled cannabis product in a secure storage container, in an area away from customers, with a clearly marked sign that indicates the product is not for sale.
- Submit a report through our online form for the recalled SKU and lot, detailing:
• the number of unsold, unopened recalled units on hand;
• the number of recalled units sold prior to the recall; and
• any recalled units that have been returned to your Authorized Cannabis Store by customers prior to the recall. - Await further instructions by email from the OCS.
Submit your report through our online form within 24 hours of the Product Recall Notice being issued. For more details on how to submit, please refer to Submitting a Product Quality Assurance Claim.
Recall credits
In the event of a product recall, your OCS Purchasing Account will be credited for the initial cost of the items you ordered. For example, if you ordered a total of 12 recalled units in the affected batch or lot, you would receive a credit for the initial purchase price of all 12 units. OCS Wholesale cannot reimburse shipping.
Request for return to the OCS Distribution Centre
If the OCS requests unsold products to be returned to the OCS Distribution Centre, please securely pack all products for return into sturdy cardboard boxes or similar containers no larger than 24 inches by 24 inches. Use boxes that are in good condition and fit for shipping (reuse OCS boxes from previous shipments if possible). Ensure boxes are not overpacked and are securely sealed, and product will not be damaged or displaced during shipping.
Call the OCS Customer Care Team at 1-877-627-1627 to arrange a date for pickup of unsold recalled items and confirm the quantity of boxes requiring return labels.