A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is the lab report that shows what is actually in a batch of CBD, CBG or CBN. For wholesale buyers it is the single most important document in a deal: it protects you from mislabelled stock, and it is what your own customers and authorities may ask to see. Here is how to check one in about five minutes.
1. Check who did the testing
The COA should come from an independent laboratory, not from the supplier itself. Look for the lab's full name, address and registration number in the footer, and the names of the analyst and the person who approved the report. If you are unsure, look the lab up and email them with the sample number to confirm the report is genuine.
2. Match the sample to the product
Every COA has a sample or batch number and a date of analysis. Ask your supplier which batch you will receive, and make sure the COA matches that batch. A COA for a different batch, or one that is several years old, tells you little about what is in your delivery.
3. Read the cannabinoid table
The main table lists each cannabinoid and its concentration, usually as a percentage "as is" (by weight of the sample). Key rows to check:
- CBD, CBG or CBN – the headline figure. It should match what the product is sold as. A CBD isolate sold as 99.5% should show close to 99.5% CBD.
- d9-THC and THCA – for most EU markets, delta-9 THC must be below the national limit (0.2% in Denmark, 0.3% in several other countries). Many isolates show THC as "< LOQ".
- Sum of THC / total THC – some labs report a combined figure. Check which value your local rules use.
4. Understand "< LOQ"
LOQ means limit of quantitation: the lowest level the lab can reliably measure, often 0.05%. A result of "< LOQ" means the compound was below that level. It does not always mean zero, but it means the amount is too small to measure accurately.
5. Look at the method
Reputable labs state the analytical technique, for example UPLC or HPLC with a UV/PDA detector. Liquid chromatography is the standard method for cannabinoids because it measures acidic forms such as CBDA and THCA separately from their neutral forms.
6. Watch for red flags
- Headline percentage on the product page differs from the COA
- No lab address, signature or sample number
- Figures that add up to more than 100%
- The same COA used for several different products
- A supplier who will not share a COA before purchase
How we handle COAs at Canna Traders
Every batch in our CBD, CBG & CBN wholesale range is independently tested, and the percentages on our product pages are taken from the current batch COA. Business customers can request the full batch COA before ordering at hello@cannatraders.eu.
This guide is general information for B2B buyers and is not legal advice. THC limits and rules differ by country, so always check your local regulations.
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