A certificate of analysis, or COA, is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a CBD product. Essentially, it is a form of quality control that confirms whether the product contains the quantities of CBD that the manufacturer claims or advertises.
A COA should come from a third-party source and not the manufacturer or brand to ensure accurate and unbiased results. A third-party COA will generally have a few different sections.
One section will typically detail how much CBD, THC, as well as other, less abundant cannabinoids, such as CBN or CBC, the product contains. These readings indicate the potency of a product.
Another section will focus on possible contaminants in the form of pesticides or microbes in the product.
A further section will list any possible contamination from heavy metals or chemicals, such as residual solvents.
CBD company websites should also have a COA available so potential buyers can check out a product before making their purchase.
It is also important that the COA comes from a trustworthy lab. If possible, check for accredited labs that followed the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) guidelines.