How to Read a Certificate of Analysis (COA)

In the field of peptide research, ensuring the integrity and quality of each compound is critical. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) serves as a formal document verifying a product’s specifications, purity, identity, and overall quality. Understanding how to read a COA is essential for researchers and institutions seeking reproducible and trustworthy scientific results.

What is a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?

A COA is a lab-generated quality assurance document that accompanies each batch of peptide. It outlines the results of a series of standardized tests performed on that batch, verifying that it meets declared specifications. It is generally issued by the manufacturer and validated by third-party labs.

Core Elements of a COA

While formats can vary slightly by manufacturer, a comprehensive COA typically includes the following elements:

• Product Name and Batch Number – Unique identifiers for traceability.

• Date of Analysis – Confirms the testing date, often used to verify recency.

• Purity (%) – Indicates how pure the peptide is, typically above 98% for research-grade compounds.

• Identification – Confirms the identity of the peptide, often through Mass Spectrometry (MS) or HPLC.

• Stability Data – Information on storage conditions and degradation profile.

• Testing Methods – Describes the analytical methods used (e.g., HPLC, MS, UV spectrometry).

How to Verify Authenticity

A valid COA should match the product’s lot number and should be issued no more than six months prior to purchase. Always ensure that COAs are provided by certified labs, and when possible, validated by a third party. This ensures the credibility of the results and supports reproducibility in research settings.

Traceability and External Verification

Each Certificate of Analysis (COA) should be fully traceable to the laboratory that performed the tests. Most authentic COAs include a URL or QR code that redirects to the testing laboratory’s official website, where the full results can be verified. This transparency ensures that the data hasn’t been altered and allows researchers to cross-reference the report with independent sources. Always verify the origin of the COA before trusting its data.

Why COAs Matter

In the unregulated world of online peptide distribution, a COA is one of the few concrete documents that ensures accountability and scientific integrity. Without it, researchers risk working with substandard or misidentified compounds—potentially compromising entire experimental protocols.

Conclusion

Understanding a COA empowers researchers to critically evaluate the materials they use. At VELA Peptides, all batches are tested and verified with COAs issued within six months of sale, ensuring transparency and precision throughout our catalog.