Certificate of analysis evidence checker
Use this checklist while you read a CBD certificate of analysis (COA). It sorts what you can verify into Supported Checks, Concerns / Red Flags, Missing or Unclear, and Not Applicable. It does not decide whether a product is safe, effective, legal, or suitable for you.
Check the Report in Front of You
Choose the answer supported by the document. Use Not Applicable when a panel genuinely does not apply to the product or review you are doing. Do not turn a missing test into a Pass.
Does the product name or description on the COA match the product you are checking?Watch for a different strength, flavor, form, spectrum type, or product name.
Does the batch or lot number match the package or seller batch record?A report for the wrong lot does not verify the product in front of you.
Does the seller’s QR code, batch page, or COA link lead to this exact report?Direct batch-to-report mapping is stronger than a generic lab-results page.
Is the laboratory clearly identified?Look for the lab name and enough information to identify who performed the testing.
Are sample, test, received, or report dates shown clearly enough to understand when testing occurred?A date helps you judge whether the report belongs to the current batch.
Does the report show a sample, report, order, or certificate identifier?This can help distinguish one laboratory record from another.
Is a CBD result shown with units?Examples include mg/g, mg/mL, mg/unit, or a package-total result.
Are relevant THC / THCA results shown with units and reporting-limit context?For ND, <LOQ, or <LOD results, look for the laboratory’s stated limits rather than assuming absolute zero.
Is a heavy-metals panel shown?Use Not Applicable only when you have a documented reason not to expect this panel.
Is a pesticide panel shown?Check the actual analyte table or panel, not only a marketing statement that the product is tested.
Is a residual-solvent panel shown when relevant?Use Not Applicable if the product/process makes this panel outside the check you are performing.
Are microbiology and/or mycotoxin panels shown when relevant?Keep a panel Unknown if you cannot tell whether it was performed.
Does the report appear complete, with no obvious missing pages, cropped result tables, or unexplained alterations?A partial screenshot is not the same as the complete certificate.
Is it clear that the COA applies to the product batch currently being sold or checked?An old but authentic report may still be poor evidence for current inventory.
Optional document identifiers: Add only the product and report details you want included in your local summary. Nothing is uploaded.
Supported Checks (Pass)
Concerns / Red Flags
Missing or Unclear (Unknown)
Not Applicable
How to Read the Result
A Supported Check means only that the document supports that one field. A Concern / Red Flag means the evidence conflicts with the check or a field expected for your review is not shown. Unknown means you do not have enough information to decide. None of these categories is a safety score.
Important: Testing requirements and useful panels can vary by product, process, jurisdiction, and date. This checker does not determine legal compliance, medical safety, product effectiveness, dosing, or drug-test outcomes. First confirm traceability with the CBD COA Batch-Match Checklist. For a detailed walkthrough, read How to Read a CBD COA. If unit conversion is needed, use the CBD COA Unit Converter. For batch-specific examples, see CBD Product Passports.