A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is the lab report that belongs to one specific batch of product. For a wholesale buyer it is the most important document in the order, because it is the evidence behind the numbers on the product page. This guide explains what to look for.
Start with the batch details
A usable COA identifies what was tested and who tested it. Look for the name of the laboratory, the sample or batch number, the date of analysis and a description of the sample. The batch number should match the batch you are buying. A report without a batch reference, or one that is much older than the stock, tells you very little about the goods in front of you.
The cannabinoid profile
This section lists each cannabinoid as a percentage of weight. For THCA products the two lines to read first are THCA and delta-9-THC. Many labs also report a total THC figure, calculated as delta-9-THC plus 0.877 times THCA, which estimates the THC that would be present if all THCA were converted by heat. Which of these figures matters legally depends on the country, so check the rule that applies where you operate.
Other cannabinoids
CBD, CBG, CBN and others may appear in smaller amounts. They help you compare batches and confirm that a product is what it claims to be, for example that a CBD flower base was used for a coated flower.
Contaminant testing
Some reports include panels for heavy metals, pesticides, microbial contamination or residual solvents. Not every COA covers every panel. If a panel matters for your market or your customers, ask whether it was tested for that batch before you order.
Common warning signs
- No laboratory name or contact details
- No batch or sample number
- Figures that do not match the product description
- A report that looks edited or is supplied only as a cropped image
How we handle COAs
At Canna Traders EU each batch is tested and supplied with its COA, and product pages state approximate THCA content subject to the batch result. If you want to see the report for a batch before ordering, contact us. You can also read our buyer's checklist for THCA wholesale.
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