Understand the source comparison
Batch-Specific vs Generic COAs
A critical distinction: a genuine COA is batch-specific — the document should reference the specific lot/batch number of the product being supplied, and the analytical data on that COA should have been generated from testing of that specific batch. Generic COA
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- A critical distinction: a genuine COA is batch-specific — the document should reference the specific lot/batch number of the product being supplied, and the analytical data on that COA should have been generated from testing of that specific batch. Generic COAs — where the same document is reused across multiple batches, or where a reference standard batch was tested but not the supplied batch — are a serious quality concern.
- Verify batch specificity by checking that the COA includes: a specific lot/batch number matching the vial, an analysis date, and ideally a laboratory report number. If a supplier cannot provide a batch-specific COA for your order, treat the quality data as unverified.