Meeting with STERIS: Supporting Quality, Safety, and Growth in the Cannabis IndustryAQIC

In an industry where compliance, safety, and consistency are essential, companies in the hemp and cannabis sector need to be able to rely on trustworthy partners who can support them at every stage of their growth. With this in mind, we’re pleased to introduce STERIS, a member of AQIC, through an interview with David Terranova, Senior Director of Plant Operations.

At Steris, the mission is clear: to help our customers create a healthier and safer world.

Through its STERIS Applied Sterilization Technologies division, the company offers contract sterilization services, laboratory testing, and product and packaging testing at more than 60 locations worldwide. With its global presence and expertise built up over several decades, STERIS serves clients in highly regulated industries, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and, for several years now, cannabis.

Serving hemp and cannabis producers

For Quebec’s hemp and cannabis industry, STERIS offers electron beam irradiation services—also known as E-beam—designed to reduce the biological and microbial load in cannabis. This process can be applied to both bulk materials and products in their final packaging.

These services are provided in accordance with Canadian regulatory standards and directly address the needs of producers seeking to implement reliable, scalable processing solutions tailored to market requirements.

Since 2014, STERIS has been partnering with cannabis producers of all sizes across Canada. From micro-growers to large-scale commercial operations, the company supports a wide range of industry players with their processing, compliance, and risk management needs.

An integrated approach based on expertise

STERIS stands out for its ability to combine equipment, supplies, and specialized services into a comprehensive solution. For its customers, this combination provides access to rigorous technical support, backed by extensive experience in contract sterilization and decontamination.

With its team of technical professionals, TechTeamSM, and more than five decades of expertise in demanding sectors such as the medical and pharmaceutical industries, STERIS applies proven methods to the Canadian cannabis industry. This expertise enables the company to tailor its contract E-beam services to the specific needs of producers, while supporting validated processes that are aligned with regulations and capable of delivering consistent results.

For growing companies, this approach helps reduce operational risks, build confidence in the processes used, and support scaling up.

A nationwide presence tailored to the realities of the cannabis industry

Today, STERIS also stands out for its nationwide presence and facilities specifically designed to meet the needs of the cannabis industry. The company operates three strategically located facilities in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta, enabling it to provide consistent, compliant coverage across the country.

Its E-beam systems and facilities have been designed with the specific needs of cannabis producers in mind. This specialization enables the company to offer reliable processing, scalable support, and solutions tailored to the demands of a constantly evolving industry.

A natural interest in AQIC

STERIS’s interest in AQIC stemmed from a meeting with Caroline Shevlin at a trade show a few years ago. Upon learning about the association’s work to advance industry standards, the STERIS team saw a mission that was strongly aligned with its own values.

For the company, the AQIC represents an opportunity to contribute to an ecosystem focused on safety, trust, and the growth of the cannabis industry. STERIS aims to build collaborative relationships with the association’s members, particularly through knowledge sharing, addressing practical challenges, and promoting best practices.

As the industry continues to evolve, STERIS is committed to partnering with manufacturers and organizations that seek to strengthen their processes, enhance compliance, and support sustainable growth.

By joining the AQIC, STERIS is committing to a shared goal: to advance the cannabis industry in Quebec and Canada through rigor, collaboration, and trust.