Certificate of Analysis (COA): All the Basics You Ought to Know

Ever wonder how to know what's really in your cannabis? Whether you're shopping for CBD, THC, or another hemp-derived cannabinoid product, it's important to know exactly what you're buying. After all, if you're putting a product on or into your body, you want confidence that what's inside matches what's on the label.

That's where a Certificate of Analysis, or COA, comes in.

Think of a COA as your product's report card. Rather than relying solely on marketing claims or what's printed on the label, a COA provides independent laboratory test results that help you verify what's actually in the product—whether it's flower, a tincture, a gummy, a topical, or another cannabis or hemp-derived product. 

In this guide, you'll learn:

• What a COA is and how to tell if it's legitimate
• What information a COA can reveal about a product
• Why Certificates of Analysis are so important
• How to read a COA and use it to make more informed purchasing decisions

Before we dive in, watch Dr. Joan Irvine and Barbie Sommars explain what a Certificate of Analysis is and why it matters.

What is a Certificate of Analysis?

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is an official laboratory report¹ that documents the testing results for a specific batch of a cannabis or hemp-derived product. Sometimes referred to as a lab report or assay, a COA provides the results of independent third-party laboratory testing for a specific batch documenting its composition, potency, and other quality measures.

The purpose of a COA is to provide greater transparency about what's in a product to help you make more informed purchasing decisions. By comparing the laboratory results with the product label, you can verify cannabinoid potency, confirm you're reviewing the correct batch, and determine whether the product has been tested for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, or microbial impurities, depending on the scope of the laboratory testing. ^{1 2}

A COA helps you compare what a manufacturer says about a product with what independent laboratory testing found. When the product label, batch information, and laboratory results align, you can have greater confidence that the product matches its stated specifications.

Think of the Certificate of Analysis as your ally in the quest for product truth.

What Information Does a Certificate of Analysis Include?

COAs can be veritable treasure troves of useful details! Depending on what the laboratory tests for, you can learn a great deal about a cannabis or hemp-derived product. At a minimum, a reliable COA should identify:

Basic Product Information

• Name of the testing laboratory
• Product name
• Batch or lot number
• Testing date (and often the report date)

What's most interesting, though, are the actual laboratory results. Depending on the product and the testing performed, a COA may include:

Laboratory Test Results

• Cannabinoid profile (CBD, THC, and minor cannabinoids)
• Terpene profile (when tested)
• Heavy metals
• Pesticides
• Residual solvents
• Microbial contaminants
• Mycotoxins (when applicable)
• Moisture or water activity (for flower products)
• Laboratory comments or observations

Some COAs may also include additional information about manufacturing practices, testing methods, or other quality-control measures that provide greater insight into how the product was evaluated.

Is This COA Legit?

Not all Certificates of Analysis are created equal. A trustworthy COA should:

• Be issued by an independent third-party laboratory.
• Clearly identify the testing laboratory.
• Match the product name and batch or lot number on the package.
• Include recent testing information.
• Be easy to access, often through a QR code or the manufacturer's website.
• Clearly present the laboratory results in an understandable format.

Remember, a COA is only as valuable as the laboratory behind it. Although requirements vary by state^{2 4} and product category, reputable brands typically make their Certificates of Analysis easy to find—often through a QR code on the package or a link on their website—and encourage customers to review them before making a purchase.

Why Is a Cannabis COA Important?

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is more than a laboratory report—it's one of the most valuable tools you have for evaluating the quality and transparency of a cannabis or hemp-derived product. It allows you to compare what a manufacturer says about a product with what independent laboratory testing actually found.

A COA can help answer several important questions before you buy:

• Does the cannabinoid content match what's stated on the label?
• Has the product been tested for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, or microbial impurities?
• Does the laboratory report correspond to the specific batch you're purchasing?
• Is the testing recent?
• Does the product contain the cannabinoids you're looking for—or ones you're trying to avoid?

One of the most important things a COA tells you is how much CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids are actually present in a product. This information matters because:

• You want to verify that the cannabinoid content matches what's on the label.
• THC may be something you're trying to avoid because you don't want intoxicating effects or are subject to workplace drug testing.
• Accurate cannabinoid content is especially important when selecting products for pets, where dosing differs significantly from humans.

Travel Tip: If you're traveling with a hemp-derived product, consider saving a digital or printed copy of its Certificate of Analysis. In some situations, having quick access to the laboratory report may help demonstrate that the product meets applicable hemp THC limits.^{2 3} Always review the laws and regulations at your destination before traveling. (See our guide: Can I Travel with Cannabis? Hemp vs. Marijuana, CBD vs. THC, Personal vs. Medical.)

Certificates of Analysis can also help you evaluate product consistency over time. Many people have favorite products that they rely on because they know what works for them. Reviewing COAs from one batch to the next can help you recognize when a formulation, cannabinoid profile, or terpene profile has changed.

Because cannabis is an agricultural product, some natural variation between batches is expected. However, significant differences in cannabinoid content or other testing results may indicate changes in sourcing, cultivation, extraction, or manufacturing that could affect your overall experience.

How To Read a Certificate of Analysis

Understanding what a COA says is just the beginning. Knowing how to interpret it can help you make informed choices about the cannabis and hemp-derived products you choose for yourself, your family, and even your pets.  

How can you use a certificate of analysis if you can't decipher what's on it? You can't. That's why it's critical to understand the parts of the report and what each piece of analysis or info means.

Key Terms You'll See on a COA

Before reviewing a Certificate of Analysis, it helps to understand some of the terminology commonly used in laboratory reports.

• Certificate of Analysis (COA): An independent laboratory report documenting testing results for a specific batch of a cannabis or hemp-derived product.
• Limit of Quantification (LoQ): The lowest amount of a substance that can be accurately measured and reported.
• Limit of Detection (LoD): The smallest amount of a substance that can be detected, even if it cannot be precisely measured.
• None Detected (ND): The substance was not detected above the laboratory's detection limit.
• Not Tested (NT): The laboratory did not test for that particular substance.
• Colony-Forming Units (CFU): A standard measurement used to estimate the amount of bacteria, yeast, mold, or other microorganisms present in a sample.

Don't worry if your COA looks different. Every laboratory has its own reporting format, but most include the same essential information. Once you know what to look for, reviewing a COA becomes much easier regardless of the laboratory that performed the testing.

Reading a COA Step by Step

Every Certificate of Analysis looks a little different, but the information you're looking for is generally the same. Here's a simple process for reviewing one:

Step 1: Confirm the product information.

Verify that the product name and batch or lot number on the COA match the information on the package. This helps ensure the laboratory results correspond to the exact product you're purchasing.

Step 2: Check the testing date.

Review when the sample was tested. Review when the sample was tested. Although a testing date doesn't necessarily indicate a product's expiration date, it does tell you when the laboratory analysis was performed.

Step 3: Review the cannabinoid profile.

Compare the reported CBD, THC, and other cannabinoid levels with what's listed on the product label. Small variations may be acceptable, but the results should generally align with the manufacturer's claims.

Step 4: Look for contaminant testing.

Review available results for pesticides, heavy metals, microbial contaminants, residual solvents, and other safety testing performed on the product.

Step 5: Review additional testing, if available.

Some COAs also include terpene profiles, moisture content, water activity, or other laboratory analyses that provide additional insight into the product.

Taking a few minutes to review a COA before making a purchase can help you better understand what you're buying and increase your confidence in the product you ultimately choose.

Sample Certificates

Understanding the concepts is one thing—seeing a real Certificate of Analysis is even better.

Ready to put your new knowledge into practice? Explore the Certificates of Analysis available in the Green Bee Life Marketplace to become more comfortable identifying batch information, cannabinoid content, laboratory testing results, and other details you'll commonly encounter when evaluating cannabis and hemp-derived products.

Are COAs Legally Required?

The answer depends on the type of product you're buying and where it's sold.

Testing and labeling requirements for cannabis and hemp-derived products vary by state,^{2 3 4} product category, and regulatory framework. While many states require laboratory testing for regulated cannabis products, requirements for hemp-derived products may differ. Likewise, not every jurisdiction requires manufacturers to make Certificates of Analysis readily available to consumers.

Regardless of legal requirements, reputable manufacturers recognize that transparency builds trust. Providing easy access to a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis allows consumers to verify laboratory testing results and make more informed choices about the products they use.

Today, many brands provide Certificates of Analysis through QR codes on product packaging or by posting them on their websites. Even when not required by law, making a COA readily available demonstrates a commitment to quality, transparency, and consumer education.

A Certificate of Analysis benefits everyone involved. It helps:

• Answer customer questions
• Build consumer confidence
• Demonstrate product transparency
• Verify product quality and potency
• Support informed product selection

COAs Help You be a Smarter, More Confident Consumer

A Certificate of Analysis is one of the most valuable tools available for evaluating cannabis and hemp-derived products. It allows you to verify cannabinoid content, review laboratory testing results, compare products, and better understand what you're putting on or into your body.

While learning to read a COA takes a little practice, it's a skill that can help you make more informed choices for yourself, your family, and your pets.

The more comfortable you become reviewing Certificates of Analysis, the easier it becomes to identify brands that prioritize transparency, consistency, and quality. Like reading a nutrition label or checking ingredient lists, reviewing a COA can become part of your routine whenever you're evaluating a new product.

Remember, your product's Certificate of Analysis is its report card. The more you understand it, the more confident you'll be in the choices you make.

Frequently Asked Questions About Certificates of Analysis

Related Learning Center Articles 

• Be in the Know: How to Read a CBD Label Like a Pro
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• Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs CBD Isolate
• Can I Travel with Cannabis?