CoA – Certificate of Analysis
The Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is one of the key documents that confirms the quality and safety of a specific product batch. Below we explain what exactly a CoA means, who issues it, and how to read it correctly.
What is a CoA (Certificate of Analysis)?
A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is an official laboratory report that lists the test results for a specific product batch. It may include data on undesirable substances (e.g., heavy metals or microorganisms) as well as the content and amount of active ingredients.
A CoA serves to verify that the product matches its declared composition, meets safety limits, and has been tested by an independent or accredited laboratory.
Who issues a CoA?
Why is a CoA important?
- ✔️ confirms that the product does not contain unwanted contaminants
- ✔️ increases customer trust in the quality and safety of the product
- ✔️ enables transparency – anyone can see the test results
How to read a CoA – step by step
- Name of the laboratory that performed the analysis
- Date the analysis was performed
- Product name
- Batch number
- Product expiration date
- Testing parameters (e.g., microbiology, heavy metals) and method used
A CoA may list individual analyzed substances or groups of substances:
- Contaminants (heavy metals, microbiology)
- Active substances (e.g., vitamin C content, EPA/DHA)
Each parameter is typically listed with:
- name of the tested substance
- measured value
- required limit
- testing method used
Is a CoA the same as certification?
No — a CoA is a laboratory report for a single batch. Product or raw material certifications (e.g., MSC, Organic) are independent quality labels issued by certification organizations.
Heavy metals
Heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury, cadmium, or arsenic) are elements that may enter foods and dietary supplements from soil or water. They occur in different forms—organic (carbon-bound) forms are generally more bioavailable and less toxic than inorganic forms, which pose a higher health risk and are therefore strictly monitored.
- Arsenic: 150 g of cooked rice may contain approximately 5–20 µg of inorganic arsenic depending on origin and cultivation.
- Mercury: 100–150 g of tuna may contain approximately 10–40 µg of mercury.
- Lead: a typical daily combination of foods may lead to an intake of approximately 5–15 µg of lead per day.
- Cadmium: 30–50 g of dark chocolate or a larger portion of spinach may contain roughly 3–10 µg of cadmium.
These examples are provided for context. For dietary supplements, we monitor legislative limits and report the results in the CoA.
Microbiology
Microbiological testing monitors the presence of undesirable microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, or yeasts. These may affect not only product safety but also its stability and shelf life.
Would you like to know where our analyses take place and which laboratories we collaborate with? Visit the page dedicated to our laboratories.
More about our laboratories
