A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is one of the most important documents in international trade and pharmaceutical ingredient sourcing. For buyers of glutathione powder, verifying the authenticity and accuracy of a COA is essential for ensuring product safety, regulatory compliance, and brand trust. However, many businesses—especially new importers—may not know how to properly interpret or validate this document.
This article will guide you through the key steps in verifying the authenticity of a glutathione COA and help you avoid common pitfalls.
Confirm the Basic Document Information
Start by checking the header and structural elements of the COA:
What to Look For:
- Supplier’s company name and contact information
- Product name (e.g., “L-Glutathione Reduced Powder”)
- Batch or lot number
- Manufacturing and expiry dates
- Date of testing and report issue
Verify Third-Party or Internal Lab Credentials
Reliable COAs either include third-party laboratory test results or are issued by certified internal QA labs. Look for:
- Accreditation details (ISO/IEC 17025)
- Contact or license info of testing laboratory
- Original stamp or QR code linked to lab system
3. Match COA Specifications with Product Requirements
Make sure the listed results align with your product specifications or regulatory standards. Focus on:
- Purity and content (usually via HPLC)
- Microbial counts
- Heavy metals (Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium)
- Loss on drying or moisture content
4. Examine Test Methodologies and Instruments Used
The COA should state what methods were used for each test:
- HPLC for purity
- ICP-MS or AAS for heavy metals
- Plate count for microbiology
This not only supports data accuracy but helps you verify the lab’s technical capability.
Contact the Supplier or Lab for Validation
If in doubt, reach out to the COA issuer to verify the batch and test record. Reputable suppliers will cooperate. You can:
- Request raw data or chromatograms
- Ask for third-party lab cross-verification
- Use digital traceability codes (if provided)
Conclusion
A COA is more than a document—it’s a quality guarantee. But like any document, it can be misused or fabricated. By learning how to verify COA authenticity, you protect your business from low-quality raw materials and maintain credibility with customers and regulators alike.
Always request a COA before purchase, and make verification a standard part of your procurement process.
To learn more about L-Glutathione knowlege, refer to our article on The Ultimate Guide to Glutathione Powder