Why COAs Matter
The hemp industry is largely unregulated. Studies have found that up to 70% of CBD products are mislabelled — containing more or less CBD than stated, or undisclosed contaminants. A Certificate of Analysis from an independent lab is the only way to verify what you are actually consuming.
Never buy a hemp product from a brand that does not provide current, accessible COAs.
What a COA Must Include
1. Lab information — Name of the testing laboratory, accreditation status (ISO 17025), contact details, and the date of testing. Reports older than 12 months are outdated.
2. Sample information — Product name, batch number, and the entity that submitted the sample. The brand should submit the sample, not a private individual.
3. Cannabinoid profile — The core of the COA. Shows concentration of CBD, THC, CBG, CBN, CBC, and others, typically measured in mg/g or as a percentage.
4. Safety panel — Pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, microbial contamination (mould, yeast, E. coli, Salmonella). All should pass or show ND (not detected).
Reading the Cannabinoid Panel
| What You See | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Total CBD matches label | Product is accurately dosed |
| Total CBD significantly lower than label | Underdosed — avoid |
| Total CBD significantly higher than label | Overdosed — unreliable quality control |
| Delta-9 THC ≤ 0.3% | Legal hemp — compliant |
| Delta-9 THC > 0.3% | Illegal in most jurisdictions — do not purchase |
| THCA present | Convert to THC when heated; factor into total |
Red Flags on a COA
- No date or outdated (more than 12 months old)
- In-house lab — lab is owned by the brand itself
- No ISO accreditation mentioned
- Only CBD shown — a full panel should show multiple cannabinoids
- No safety panel — pesticides and heavy metals not tested
- QR code or link does not work
- Batch number on COA does not match packaging
Green Flags: What a Trustworthy COA Looks Like
- ISO 17025 accredited lab
- Full cannabinoid panel (8+ cannabinoids listed)
- Comprehensive safety panel (pesticides, metals, solvents, microbials)
- Dated within the last 12 months
- Batch number matches your product
- Values match label claims within ±10%
- Lab contact information verifiable online