What is a certificate of analysis?
A certificate of analysis (COA) is a document that confirms a product has passed required quality checks and meets defined quality standards. Batch-specific information is what makes it useful, so a COA should be tied to one batch or lot number.
Common parts of a COA
- Product name, and a batch or lot identifier so the report can be traced to a specific batch.
- Manufacturing and expiration dates.
- The test methods used, and the acceptance criteria for each test.
- Measured results, with the lab or manufacturer's details and accreditation information.
- Signatures and dates from authorized personnel.
How to check one
Check whether the lab is named, whether it is accredited, and whether the batch number on the report matches the batch you have. A COA can be falsified or incomplete, so the report should be verified, not just read.
A COA does not replace a clinician's advice about any health decision.
Source: Inbound Logistics, "Certificate of Analysis (COA): What It Is, Key Elements, and Why They Matter." inboundlogistics.com
Educational content. Not medical advice.