How to Review a Batch-Specific Certificate of Analysis (COA)

A certificate of analysis (COA) reports test results for a specific batch of material. For buyers of herbal raw materials it is one of the most useful documents, provided you read it carefully.

Check that it matches your material

• The product name and plant part should match what you ordered.
• The batch or lot number should match the label on the packaging you receive.
• The dates on the document should make sense for the batch.

Check who did the testing

A COA may be issued by the supplier's own quality function or by an external laboratory. Both can be useful, but you should know which it is. If your market or product requires independent testing, ask for it specifically.

Compare results against your specification

Look at each reported parameter, the result, the limit and the test method. A result without a stated limit or method is harder to interpret. If a parameter you care about is not reported, ask whether it can be tested.

General documents are different

Business registrations and general certifications describe the company, not a particular batch. They do not replace batch-specific results.

Keep records

Store COAs alongside your incoming inspection records. Over time, this gives your team a clear view of batch-to-batch consistency.