How to Read a Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
Informational — 'how to read a CoA' · Audience: Buyers evaluating documentation
What a CoA is meant to do
A certificate of analysis is a document that reports the results of testing performed on a specific batch of a material. It is not a guarantee of safety or efficacy, and not every product has one. This article is for information use only.
Common sections
Typical fields include batch or lot number, test method, result, specification, and a pass/fail or quantitative value. Understanding which method was used and what the specification means is essential to interpreting the document.
What a CoA does not tell you
A CoA describes a specific batch at a specific time. It does not certify the material for any particular use, and it is not a substitute for independent verification when that is warranted.
No verified author or reviewer is attributed. Publication date is a placeholder. This article will remain unpublished and out of the sitemap until reviewed and approved.