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Answer questions about a Certificate of Analysis to evaluate its legitimacy. This tool helps identify common red flags in COAs from peptide vendors.
This tool is an educational guide to help you evaluate COAs. It is not a definitive verification service. A high score does not guarantee authenticity, and a low score does not necessarily mean the COA is fake. When in doubt, contact the testing laboratory directly.
Does the COA include the name of a specific testing laboratory?
Legitimate COAs always identify the accredited testing laboratory.
Is the testing lab a recognized third-party laboratory (e.g., Janoshik, Colmaric, MZ Biolabs)?
Well-known peptide testing labs have established reputations. In-house testing by the vendor is less reliable.
Does the COA include a batch or lot number?
Each batch should have a unique identifier linking the COA to the actual product.
Is there a date of analysis on the COA?
The testing date should be recent and before the product's shipping date.
Does the COA show HPLC purity results?
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography is the gold standard for peptide purity. Expect >95% for research-grade, >98% for pharmaceutical.
Does the COA show mass spectrometry (MS) results confirming identity?
Mass spectrometry verifies the molecular weight matches the expected peptide sequence.
Does the purity claim seem reasonable (not exactly 99.99%)?
Real testing produces varied results (e.g., 98.7%, 99.2%). Exactly 99.99% for every batch is suspicious.
Does the COA include endotoxin/LAL testing results?
Bacterial endotoxins can cause fever and serious reactions. This test is especially important for injectable products.
Are the results presented with specific numerical values (not just 'Pass/Fail')?
Quantitative results (e.g., 'Purity: 98.7%') are more informative than 'Pass'.
Can you verify the COA directly with the testing lab (via their website or contact)?
Many labs offer online verification. If a COA can't be verified, treat it with skepticism.
Does the COA match the specific product you received (same batch/lot number on vial)?
The batch number on the COA should match the label on your vial.
Is the COA a PDF or image that appears original (not obviously edited)?
Look for mismatched fonts, blurry numbers, or inconsistent formatting.
Does the COA include the testing laboratory's logo and contact information?
Legitimate labs include their logo, address, phone, and accreditation numbers.
Does the COA include the peptide name and molecular formula/weight?
The tested substance should be clearly identified with its scientific name.