How to read a certificate of analysis (COA)
In short: A certificate of analysis (COA) is a laboratory report for one specific production batch. It shows how much of each cannabinoid the product actually contains and whether the batch was tested for contaminants. The batch number the report refers to is printed on your packaging.
Why the report matters
The label states a nominal value — 10 %, or 1000 mg. The report states what the laboratory actually measured in that batch. With a natural plant extract, values vary slightly from batch to batch, so measured and nominal figures never match to the decimal.
If a seller cannot produce the report, there is no way to verify either the cannabinoid content or whether the batch was tested for contaminants.
What a report should contain
- Laboratory name and accreditation details.
- Batch (lot) number matching the one printed on the packaging.
- Date of analysis.
- Cannabinoid profile with measured values.
- Method used — usually HPLC or gas chromatography.
A report may additionally cover heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents and microbiological testing.
Reading the cannabinoid profile
Values are usually given as percentages or milligrams per gram. In a full spectrum extract, minor cannabinoids appear alongside the main one — that is expected, not a fault.
Abbreviations you will see
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CBD / CBDA | cannabidiol and its acidic form |
| CBG / CBGA | cannabigerol; other cannabinoids form from its acidic form |
| CBN | cannabinol, formed by oxidation of THC as material ages |
| THC / THCA | tetrahydrocannabinol; legally limited |
| Total CBD | combined CBD after conversion of the acidic form |
| LOQ / LOD | limit of quantification and limit of detection |
| ND | not detected (below the detection limit) |
ND does not necessarily mean a substance is absent — it means it is below the level the method can detect.
Why measured and stated values differ
Hemp is an agricultural crop. Cannabinoid content varies between harvests, fields and individual plants. Production evens this out, but not perfectly.
A deviation of a few percent either way is normal for a natural extract. Larger gaps are worth asking the manufacturer about.
How to get the report for your product
Find the batch number on the packaging and send it to the seller. We provide the certificate for a specific batch on request — a message with the batch number is enough.
Note: a report for a different batch of the same product is not evidence for yours. Each batch has its own analysis.
Frequently asked questions
What does ND mean on a certificate?
That the substance was not detected, meaning it is below the detection limit of the method used.
Why is the measured value different from the label?
Hemp is a natural crop and content varies between batches. Small deviations are expected.
Does one certificate cover all of a manufacturer’s products?
No. A certificate applies to one specific batch, identified on both the report and the packaging.
What should I check first?
That the batch number matches your packaging, the date of analysis, the measured CBD and the measured THC.
Note: hemp products are not medicines. They are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or alleviate any disease or health condition.
