Certificate of Analysis: What is Third-Party Product Testing?
Hemp is an amazing plant that’s highly versatile and the ideal crop for year-round cultivation in Florida. The famous botanical is state, local, and federally legal to cultivate, manufacture, distribute, and use. However, there are no standardized hemp testing procedures for CBD products that the government oversees at any level. The industry regulates itself. Learn more about the certificate of analysis and how it can benefit your hemp business.
What is a Certificate of Analysis?
A certificate of analysis or COA is verification from a third-party laboratory that your products are safe for customers. Unfortunately, studies show that not all companies are honest. For example, the Journal of the American Medical Association research shows not all brands are equal in quality, potency, and safety in 2017. The AMA screened 84 products from 31 companies. It found 43% were under-labeled and 26% were over-labeled for CBD potency. Another discovery—CBD oil labels were the most authentic, and vape products were the least trustworthy. Years later, in 2019, the FDA revealed little improvement in quality and safety testing among CBD brands. Between 2014 and 2018, it tested oils, gummies, capsules, topicals, and pet treats. Of 78 products, only ⅓ had accurate labels. In 2019, the agency screened 34 items. Unfortunately, it still found ⅔ of the products contained either more or less CBD than advertised.
The Value of Third-Party Hemp Testing
Third-party testing is vital to your CBD franchise.
As mentioned, labels aren’t matching the product’s contents for several brands, which gives excellent companies a poor reputation. Third-party hemp testing is the key to winning customers and building a brand that people trust. Additionally, it showcases the phytocannabinoid-rich formula of your CBD products and the unique terpene profile of each hemp strain.
How to Read a COA
You should know how to read the certificate of analysis. It will help you understand the quality, potency, and safety of your products. Additionally, you’ll be able to assist your customers better with this knowledge. The certificate of analysis is split into three sections. Each header contains your brand’s data, such as the company name, address, and sampling information. It also includes the name of the lab, product description, and a QR code for authenticity. The next area is the results of all requested testing. Always check the date on the report to ensure it’s recent. The summary shows the total CBD and THC content. For legal purposes, the amount of delta-9 THC must be 0.3% or less. As testing and products are advancing, you’ll see more information about the different phytocannabinoids. Many customers are now looking for CBG, CBN, and THCa content.
Additionally, check the terpene levels. Buyers are carefully scanning CBD formulas with a rich and unique terpene profile. The COA should list the most detected in each batch.
Last but perhaps the most important are the potential contaminants. Look past the top line that shows your products passed the review. Check out the final column, which shows the exact level of impurities. Each lab tests for a different number of contaminants. Choose a lab that screens for at least 11 residual solvents, 61 pesticides, five mycotoxins, and four heavy metals.
Always provide a copy of the COA for each product batch to wholesale buyers and individual consumers to build their faith in your company and CBD formulas.
Start your CBD franchise today!
Contact us to learn how to secure the best location in a city near you. We’ll guide you through the entire process from seed to sale, including how to choose the right lab to test your products before sending batches out to clients. With our help, you’ll soon be on the way to owning a successful CBD business in Florida.