In detail
A usable COA identifies the product, botanical species, plant part, manufacturing lot, manufacturing and expiry dates, and the specification version it was tested against. Results should be shown next to limits, not summarized as 'complies'. The method should be named for every assay, because a withanolide figure by HPLC and a figure by UV are not interchangeable.
The COA is a release document, not a marketing brochure. It does not prove that a botanical is effective, that a finished product is compliant in your market, or that the material is authentic beyond the tests performed. It also does not replace a certificate of origin, an allergen statement, or a specification.
Why it matters to a buyer
- Your quality team cannot release a batch without a lot-specific result against a written specification.
- Retailers and marketplaces increasingly ask for a COA that matches the drum label and the specification.
- A COA without a lot number or method is a document, not evidence.
What to ask a supplier
Which specification version and lot number does this COA refer to?
Which method and calculation basis were used for the assay?
Can you provide the full contaminant results, not only a 'complies' statement?
References and further reading
- FDA — Current Good Manufacturing Practice for dietary supplements (21 CFR 111)
- FDA — Dietary supplements
External links are provided for orientation. Requirements differ by market, product, and dose; confirm with your regulatory advisor.
Cite this page
Rainwood Botanical. "Certificate of analysis." Botanical extract glossary, October 2026. https://ingredients.rainwoodbio.com/resources/glossary/certificate-of-analysis/