How to Read a CoA Like a Pro
A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is a lab report for a specific lot/batch. You’re looking for traceability and credible testing, not marketing.
1) Check the accreditation
Look for ISO/IEC 17025 (or an equivalent national accreditation). Then verify that the lab on the document is real and that the accreditation covers the relevant tests.
2) Review contaminants (heavy metals, microbes)
Scan for lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and microbial results. Compare against the jurisdiction you care about. Don’t rely on a single “pass” label without numbers.
3) Match the lot number
The lot/batch number on the CoA should match the number printed on the bottle (often on the bottom). If it doesn’t match, it’s not evidence for your product.
Common red flags
- CoA has no lot/batch number or uses a generic template.
- Lab name cannot be verified or has no accreditation info.
- Only marketing claims (“tested”, “verified”) without numeric results.