A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is only useful if you know how to read it and how to verify it’s real. This guide explains what each section means and exactly how to confirm a report is genuine before trusting it.
The Parts of a COA That Actually Matter
Batch or Lot Number: ties the report to one specific production run. A report with no batch number, or a generic one reused across multiple sales, cannot be trusted to represent what you’re actually buying.
Work Order Number: the lab’s own internal reference for the test, useful when contacting the lab directly to verify the report.
Test Method: the specific scientific method used (for example, “EPA 3050B / 6020” for heavy metals via ICP-MS). Different methods can produce different results for the same material, so the method should always be disclosed.
MRL (Minimum Reporting Limit): the smallest amount the test can reliably detect. Results below this threshold are usually reported as “ND.”
ND (None Detected): means the substance was not found above the MRL, not necessarily that zero is present.
Results vs. Limits: compare the actual result (for example, “1.6 ppm” for arsenic) against the recognized safety limit (for example, WHO’s 10.00 ppm threshold) to understand whether it passes, not just whether a number is present.
How to Verify a COA Is Genuine
- Note the lab’s name, the batch number, and the work order number from the report
- Contact the lab directly, not the seller, by phone, email, or the contact information on the lab’s own website
- Ask the lab to confirm the report matches their records for that specific batch and work order number
- Be cautious of any report where this verification isn’t possible
Why Fulvic Acid Percentage Alone Isn’t Enough
Fulvic acid content is not measured the same way industry-wide, different labs use different assay methods and reference standards, producing different numbers for the same material. A percentage alone, without the testing method disclosed, is not a comparable figure between suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a shilajit Certificate of Analysis?
A document from an independent laboratory reporting the test results for a specific batch of shilajit, typically covering heavy metals, fulvic acid content, and microbiological safety.
How do I know if a shilajit lab report is real?
Contact the issuing laboratory directly using the batch number and work order number listed on the report, and ask them to confirm it matches their own records.
What heavy metals should a shilajit lab report test for?
Arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury are the standard heavy metals tested, compared against limits set by the WHO, FDA, California Proposition 65, and EU standards.
What does “ND” mean on a lab report?
“None Detected.” It means the substance was not found above the test’s minimum reporting limit, not necessarily that none exists at all.
Why do different labs report different fulvic acid percentages for similar shilajit?
Because fulvic acid isn’t measured with one universal industry-standard method, different labs use different assay techniques, which can produce different numbers for materially similar shilajit.
Check Our Lab Reports
Every batch we sell carries its own verifiable Certificate of Analysis.
