How to Read a Certificate of Analysis (COA)

What Is a Certificate of Analysis?

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a document issued by an accredited third-party laboratory that verifies the contents of a hemp or CBD product. It is one of the most important tools available to consumers when evaluating the quality, safety, and accuracy of a wellness product.

At Hemp for Life Wellness, every product comes with a COA. Here's how to read one — and what to look for.

Section 1: Lab & Sample Information

At the top of any COA, you'll find identifying information including:

• Laboratory name and accreditation — Look for ISO 17025 accreditation, the gold standard for testing labs.
• Sample name and batch/lot number — This should match the product you purchased. Always verify the batch number on your product label matches the COA.
• Test date — COAs should be recent. A test date more than 12 months old may not reflect the current product batch.

Section 2: Cannabinoid Profile

This is the core of the COA. It lists the cannabinoids detected in the product and their concentrations, typically expressed in mg/g or as a percentage.

• CBD (Cannabidiol) — Confirm the amount matches what is stated on the product label.
• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) — For hemp-derived products, total THC must be 0.3% or less by dry weight to comply with federal law.
• Minor cannabinoids — CBG, CBN, CBC, and others may be listed. Their presence indicates a full- or broad-spectrum formulation.
• ND (Non-Detected) — This means the compound was not detected above the lab's minimum reporting threshold. This is a good result for THC in broad-spectrum or isolate products.

Section 3: Contaminant Screening

A comprehensive COA will also include results for potential contaminants. Look for the following panels:

• Pesticides — Should show "Pass" or ND for all regulated pesticides.
• Heavy metals — Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury should all be below action limits.
• Residual solvents — Relevant for extracted products; all solvents should be ND or below safe thresholds.
• Microbials — Screens for harmful bacteria and mold. Should show "Pass."
• Mycotoxins — Fungal toxins that can be present in plant material; should be ND or "Pass."

Section 4: How to Match a COA to Your Product

To confirm a COA applies to your specific product:

1. Locate the batch or lot number on your product packaging.
2. Find the corresponding COA using that batch number.
3. Verify the product name, cannabinoid levels, and test date align with what you purchased.

If a brand cannot provide a COA or the COA does not match your product's batch number, that is a significant red flag.

Where to Find Our COAs

Hemp for Life Wellness makes our Certificates of Analysis available directly on our product pages. We believe informed customers make confident decisions — and transparency is the foundation of everything we do.

If you have questions about interpreting a COA for any of our products, feel free to reach out to us directly.