Stronger context
Traceable and relevant
Named lab, verifiable report ID, matching batch, documented sample path, and methods that answer the claims being made.
Report-reading checklist
A COA is not one thing.
Identity, purity, content, sterility, and endotoxin are different questions. Check what the report actually measured before repeating its conclusion.
Record context
Can this report be connected to this item?
- Laboratory name and contact or verification route are identifiable.
- Report ID or certificate number is visible.
- Compound, form, and sample description are specific.
- Batch or lot matches the item being discussed, or is labeled unknown.
- Collection, receipt, and test dates are visible where provided.
- Who selected, purchased, held, and submitted the sample is documented.
Measurements
Which question did each test answer?
| Field | What it can support | What it does not establish alone |
|---|---|---|
| Mass spectrometry / identity | Evidence consistent with a stated molecular identity under the method used. | Net content, sterility, or clinical effect. |
| HPLC purity | Relative purity under the reported chromatographic method. | Identity, total amount, sterility, or absence of every contaminant. |
| Net content / assay | Measured amount under the reported quantitative method. | Sterility, identity unless coupled with an identity method, or future-batch consistency. |
| Sterility | Result under the stated sterility method and conditions. | Endotoxin absence, identity, or every possible contaminant. |
| Endotoxin | Endotoxin result against the stated method/limit. | Sterility, purity, or clinical suitability. |
| Heavy metals | Reported metals under the stated panel and detection limits. | Other contaminants, sterility, identity, or content. |
Incomplete
Important gaps
A real-looking report can still be disconnected from the unit, batch, seller, or claimed measurement.
Seller claim only
Not independently checked
Marketing copy, cropped screenshots, copied PDFs, and unverifiable certificates remain seller claims.