What Is a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a formal document issued by a manufacturer’s quality-assurance department or a third-party laboratory that details the results of laboratory testing on a specific product batch. It provides assurances about a product’s identity, purity, potency, and compliance with agreed specifications and regulatory standards.
Key Components of a COA
- Product Identification
Batch/lot number, product name, manufacturing date. - Analytical Methods
Tests performed (e.g., HPLC, GC, NMR, microbial assays). - Specifications vs. Results
Acceptance criteria alongside the actual measured values. - Purity & Potency
Concentration of active ingredient; profile of impurities. - Safety Tests
Heavy metals, residual solvents, endotoxin levels (where applicable). - Approval & Signature
Authorized signatory’s name, date, and accreditation details.
Why COAs Matter for Research Peptides
- Quality Assurance
Verifies each peptide batch meets lab-grade standards. - Regulatory Compliance
Supplies documented proof for GLP/GMP audits and customs inspections. - Traceability
Enables recalls and batch-specific troubleshooting