“Lab tested” is not a complete quality statement. A certificate of analysis, often called a COA, should be read as a specific laboratory report for a defined sample—not as a general badge for an entire brand.
1. Match the report to the product
Start with identity. Look for:
- Product name or sample description.
- Batch or lot number.
- Sample identifier.
- Date received and date tested.
- Manufacture or expiry information where reported.
- Client or manufacturer name.
The batch on the report should match the bottle. A report for raw extract, a previous batch or another product does not establish the composition of the item in hand.
2. Identify the laboratory
The report should name the testing laboratory and provide contact or accreditation information. Check:
- Laboratory name and address.
- Report number.
- Authorised signatory.
- Accreditation scope, if claimed.
- Page count and any attachments.
Accreditation is meaningful only for the relevant test scope. A logo alone should not replace verification.
3. Understand the analytes
A cannabinoid panel may list CBD, CBDA, THC, THCA and other constituents. Do not assume that all compounds were tested merely because the report is described as comprehensive.
Check whether the results apply to:
- The finished oil.
- A dry extract.
- Raw plant material.
- A gummy or other dosage form.
Different matrices require appropriate preparation and methods.
4. Read the units
Results can be reported as:
- Milligrams per gram.
- Milligrams per millilitre.
- Percentage by weight.
- Micrograms per unit.
- “Not detected” or below a reporting limit.
Do not compare numbers until the units and sample basis are aligned. Milligrams per gram cannot be treated as milligrams per millilitre without valid density and formulation information.
5. “Not detected” does not always mean zero
Laboratories use a limit of detection and a limit of quantitation. “ND” commonly means the analyte was not detected above the method’s stated threshold; it does not prove that absolutely none is present.
Look for:
- LOD: limit of detection.
- LOQ: limit of quantitation.
- Reporting limit.
These thresholds matter when interpreting “THC-free” or similar claims.
6. Compare potency with the label
Calculate whether the measured result is reasonably consistent with the labelled quantity, accounting for the report’s units and any stated specification or tolerance.
Do not make the comparison if:
- The COA tests a different material.
- The serving size is unclear.
- The units cannot be reconciled.
- The label names an extract while the report names individual compounds.
Ask the manufacturer to explain the specification rather than forcing a conversion.
7. Check contaminant testing
Depending on the material and product, relevant testing may include:
- Heavy metals.
- Pesticide residues.
- Residual solvents.
- Microbial contamination.
- Mycotoxins.
- Foreign matter.
“Cannabinoid potency tested” does not mean “tested for contaminants.” Read every panel and compare results with the stated specification.
8. Check the method
The COA should identify the analytical method or method reference. Different methods can be appropriate for different analytes and matrices.
A credible report distinguishes:
- Result.
- Specification or acceptance limit.
- Method.
- Pass/fail conclusion where applicable.
Ask questions if the method is missing, the units change across pages or results appear copied.
9. Look for report-integrity features
Common integrity features include:
- Unique report number.
- Page numbering.
- Digital verification link or QR code.
- Authorised signature.
- Amendment history.
- Clear identification of subcontracted tests.
Contact the laboratory using independently verified details if authenticity is important. Do not rely only on contact information supplied in a screenshot.
Red flags
Be cautious when:
- The batch number is absent.
- The report is cropped.
- Laboratory and signatory details are missing.
- Test dates are inconsistent.
- Only favourable rows are displayed.
- The product name does not match.
- “ND” is promoted as absolute zero without a detection limit.
- A raw-material result is used as a finished-product result.
Questions for the seller
- Does this COA match the bottle’s batch?
- Was the finished product tested?
- Which tests were not performed?
- What are the applicable specifications?
- Can the report be verified with the laboratory?
- How are out-of-specification results handled?
References
- Ministry of AYUSH, quality-control resources: https://ayush.gov.in/
- National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories: https://nabl-india.org/
- U.S. FDA, CBD consumer information and research gaps: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis
Disclaimer
This article is a general reading guide, not laboratory, regulatory or legal advice. A qualified quality-control or regulatory professional should evaluate product specifications and test results.
