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A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a document from an independent laboratory that confirms the cannabinoid content, potency, and safety of a CBD product. It verifies that a product contains what the label claims and is free from contaminants. Reputable CBD brands publish a COA for every batch they sell.
What Is a COA and Why Does It Matter?
A COA comes from a third-party laboratory, a lab with no commercial relationship to the CBD brand, after it tests a specific batch of product. It matters because the CBD industry has no mandatory pre-market approval requirement in the United States.
Third-party testing is voluntary, which makes it one of the clearest signals that a brand stands behind its products. Without a COA, you cannot independently verify that a product contains its stated CBD amount or is free from pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants.
What Is a CBD Certificate of Analysis?
A Certificate of Analysis, often referred to as a COA, acts as a third-party lab report, offering customers and distributors a detailed look at the chemical composition of a CBD product. With a COA, manufacturers can prove to their customers that their CBD offerings are safe, effective, and of the highest quality.
Embedded within each COA is a unique batch number, acting as an identifier for every product's journey from creation to consumption. CBD products from unreliable manufacturers can contain harmful substances such as pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents.
Certificates of analysis use multiple testing methods to help manufacturers verify that their CBD products meet their quality control and regulatory standards, allowing them to keep a close eye on the final product being produced and ensure it meets customer needs and is safe for consumption. A COA also gives you, as a customer, a scientific record of exactly what is in the product. It helps maintain good quality management, since any issues would appear in the results.
What Does a Certificate of Analysis Test For?
Here are the main things a COA tests for:
Cannabinoid Profile
A COA precisely determines the types of cannabinoids present in the product and their weight percentage. Since different cannabinoids offer various effects and potential benefits*, the cannabinoid profile can guide you between different types of CBD products and help you make an informed decision.
Cannabinoid Concentration
A COA will also tell you the concentration of cannabinoids, meaning you'll know exactly how much CBD is packed into every milliliter or gram of the product, so it conforms to what you expect. This lets you measure precisely how much CBD you consume with every product.
Elemental Analysis
Elemental analysis screens for heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, confirming the product falls within safe consumption limits.
Microbiological Contaminants
A COA also screens for yeast, mold, and other microbial contaminants that may be found in low-quality products, ensuring your product is free of microbiological contamination.
Pesticide Analysis
Pesticide analysis ensures your CBD product is free from harmful chemicals and pesticides often used in low-quality crops. Anything sprayed on a hemp plant will show up in a hemp extract, and CBD is extracted from that plant, so this test confirms the raw material was grown without harmful pesticides.
Terpene Profile
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds responsible for the scents and potential benefits* of CBD. They are a meaningful part of your COA, letting you compare the flavor and aroma of different products and choose the experience you prefer.
What a COA Shows
A COA shows its results in sections you can check against the label. Knowing what to look for in CBD lab results starts with the cannabinoid table, which lists CBD, CBG, CBC, CBN, and their measured levels. This is where you verify a broad spectrum product contains zero detectable THC, or a full spectrum product stays under the 0.3% legal threshold. Understanding cannabinoid profiles helps you match a product's spectrum to your THC tolerance.
The potency section confirms total CBD content matches the label. Additional sections may cover pesticide screening, heavy metal testing, residual solvents, and microbial testing. More sections mean a stronger trust signal.
However, it is not guaranteed that you will pass a drug test after consuming a CBD product.
How to Read a Certificate of Analysis
Now that you understand what COAs test for, it's time to learn how to read them. Here's a guide to help you navigate through the details:
Locate the COA
Find the COA for the product you're interested in. It's often available on the product's website or by request. You may need to identify the lot number of your product and the product name to find the right COA. Some vaping and food products use a QR code with everything you need to find the COA.
Understand the Sections
COAs are divided into sections that detail different aspects of the product. These usually include cannabinoid profile, concentration, elemental analysis, microbiological contaminants, pesticide analysis, and terpene profile. Use the previous section to guide you through each item.
Check the Numbers
As you review each section, check the numbers against industry standards and regulations. Ensure that cannabinoid concentrations match the advertised potency and that safety sections have values below safety limits. Always check the expiration date as well.
How to Read FABCBD's Lab Reports
Find every product's results on FABCBD's lab reports page. Locate the batch number on your product label and match it to the corresponding COA. Check three numbers: total CBD mg per serving, the delta-9 THC level (under 0.3% for full spectrum, zero detectable for broad spectrum), and whether pesticide and heavy metal screenings passed.
However, it is not guaranteed that you will pass a drug test after consuming a CBD product.
Fab CBD Products Are Third-Party Lab Tested and Approved
A COA gives you quality assurance, letting you know you're investing in a high-quality CBD product. At Fab CBD, we use third-party lab tests, an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory. Now that you know how to read a COA, explore FABCBD's lab reports to see the test results that show exactly what's in our products, or shop FABCBD CBD oil to experience a fully tested formula for yourself.
FAQ
How do I know if a CBD COA is legitimate?
A legitimate COA comes from an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, which you can verify on the lab's own website. It lists the lab's name, accreditation number, the batch number of the tested product, and the test date. Be cautious of any brand that will not share its COAs on request.
What is the difference between a COA and a lab report?
A COA and a lab report are the same document. Both terms refer to the report a third-party laboratory issues confirming a product's cannabinoid content and safety profile.
Does every CBD product need a COA?
A COA is not legally required in the United States, but it is standard industry practice and a strong trust signal. Fab CBD provides a COA for every product batch, available on our FABCBD's lab reports page.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
