Every brand you come across owes you honesty. As a company, we want you to be thoroughly knowledgeable about our product so you can use it confidently. Before a product is placed on the market for consumer purchase, testers must subject it to a number of tests listed in a COA or certificate of analysis.
Because chemical manufactures must demonstrate that their goods satisfy all necessary requirements, pass security and quality assurance checks, and contain exactly what is claimed, COAs were created.
The purpose of the COA is to enable a customer to submit a report to a regulatory agency like:
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Knowing what you are purchasing is crucial, especially regarding items that will go inside your body. Learning how to read a COA is best if you have never done so to feel more secure when purchasing.
To choose what is safe and appropriate for you, let's take a moment to understand how to recognize and interpret a COA.
Instructions On How To Read A Certificate Of Analysis (COA)
Step 1: Locate the COA
If a website doesn't include lab reports for each product, that's a warning sign. Every item on our website has a lab report connected to it. For instance, the batch lab report is displayed in the images of our delta 8 gummies. We wanted it to be as simple as possible to view the laboratory findings for our products.
The most straightforward approach to locate their COA may not always be readily apparent or accessible, so always check their online resources.
Step 2: Read the Product Label
It doesn't matter if you look for the COA first or read the label's information; what matters is confirming the contents of the package.
The majority of packaging that is intended for consumers makes explicit statements regarding testing or content percentages, however these claims rarely match the outcomes of the tests. You should carefully read the product label so that you have a list of claims to compare to the COA.
Step 3: Look For Things That Matter
There are a few essential things to check for while reading a COA:
Name and identification of the product
Verify that the product described on the COA corresponds to your buying.
Lab Test Results
The results of numerous tests run on the product should be included in the COA. Tests for potency, purity, and contaminants are some examples of these.
Specification Limits
The COA should next outline the permissible limits for each test. The actual test outcomes ought to be within these bounds.
Testing Procedures
The COA should then detail the testing procedures employed, including any applicable standards or guidelines that were followed.
Lot or Batch Number
The batch or lot number of the product being tested should also be included on the COA, enabling you to trace the development back to the particular collection it originated from.
Testing Date
Knowing when a product was tested is crucial since a product's quality may vary with time.
Testing Facility
The name of the lab or business that conducted the tests and other information regarding the issuing authority should be included in the COA.
You can better understand the product's quality and purity by looking over the COA. Confirming that the product has been tested by a recognized laboratory or manufacturer and complies with all applicable regulations and standards is crucial.
Where to Find the COA
The batch COA can be tracked using a QR code that other manufacturers may use. Others might ask you to visit their website and use the discovered lot number to search for the COA.
The most important thing is that a corporation provides access, regardless of the manner they choose. It is safe to infer that a corporation may be cutting costs and not assuring the safety of their products if they refuse to share these essential papers or give reasons why they can't.
Ask the manufacturer about them to confirm if the COA is not prominently indicated.
Most Commona Label Inaccuracies on The Market
Labels on consumer goods can frequently be deceptive in several ways. Typical illustrations include:
Exaggerated or fraudulent claims
Some labels make exaggerated or inaccurate claims about the qualities or benefits of the product. For instance, a product's label can state that it is all-natural even when it contains artificial components. Or it can assert that a product has been clinically shown to perform something without offering supporting data.
Ambiguous or vague language
Some labels intentionally mislead consumers about the ingredients or efficacy of the product. For instance, a brand can cover up potentially dangerous compounds used to give a product a pleasant smell by using the word "fragrance."
False sizing or quantity
Some labels may give buyers the impression that a product is more valued or appealing by providing misleading sizing or quantity information. For instance, a brand could accentuate the size of the product while concealing crucial details like the quantity of product within by using huge letter sizes.
False or deceptive certifications or endorsements
Some labels may contain false or misleading certifications or endorsements to suggest that the product is of high quality or has the approval of an authority figure.
Overall, inaccurate product labels can hurt consumers by encouraging them to buy less reliable or secure goods than they thought. Before making a purchase, buyers must carefully read all labels and be aware of these strategies.
A genuine COA is crucial in today's market because of this. It is now much simpler to examine a product's factual findings to ensure that you are purchasing something that will be beneficial rather than harmful thanks to the widespread availability of testing information.
Common Red Flags To Watch Out For When Reading a COA
A company's COA does not guarantee that it is accurate or trustworthy. You should be on the lookout for a few red flags when reviewing a COA.
Some things that immediately raise a red flag are as follows:
Labels for items such as "Broad Spectrum" that do not list any additional phytocannabinoids on the COA. If THC in the COA is above 0.3%. If things like CBD content on the label do not match the COA.
Production line shortfalls occur when product label information does not match that on the COA.
In the cannabis market, COAs are crucial for everything. The sector is still developing and young. Companies must hold themselves accountable in front of the public due to a lack of FDA monitoring.
For the consumer's protection, anyone manipulating the statistics or withholding verifiable COAs should be held accountable.
The Bottom Line
To trust a product and its contents, COAs are crucial. COAs are essential in both the cannabis industry and even when it comes to our fish excrement.
With a better understanding, you can confidently decide what's in your products. Additionally, you may now select the brand you believe in the most based on their lab results.