You've probably seen the phrase "third-party lab tested" on hemp and CBD products. But what does that actually mean — and how do you verify it? The answer lies in a document called a Certificate of Analysis, or COA.

A COA is an official lab report issued by an independent, accredited laboratory. It tells you exactly what's in a product: which cannabinoids are present, at what levels, and whether any harmful substances were detected. Learning how to read one takes just a few minutes, and it could save you from buying a subpar — or even unsafe — product.

Step 1: Check the Lab's Name and Accreditation

The first thing to look for on any COA is who performed the testing. The lab should be a third-party, independent facility — not the same company that made the product. Look for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, which is the international gold standard for testing laboratories.

Well-known accredited hemp testing labs include SC Labs, ProVerde Laboratories, Kaycha Labs, ACS Laboratory, and Anresco Laboratories. If a COA doesn't clearly name an accredited lab or the test seems to have been done in-house, that's a red flag.

Step 2: Match the Batch Number to Your Product

Every COA should include a Batch Number or Lot Number — a unique identifier tied to a specific production run of the product. This number should match what's printed on your product's label or packaging.

If a company can't provide a batch-specific COA for the product you're buying, ask for one. A generic or undated COA doesn't prove the product on your shelf matches the tested sample.

Step 3: Read the Cannabinoid Panel

The cannabinoid panel is the heart of the COA. It lists every cannabinoid detected and their concentrations — typically shown as both a percentage and milligrams per gram (mg/g).

What to look for:

• Delta-9 THC ≤ 0.3%: This is the federal legal limit for hemp. It must be at or below 0.3% by dry weight. If it's higher, the product is technically marijuana under federal law.
• CBD / CBD total: Verify the CBD content matches what's claimed on the label. A 1000mg tincture should show approximately 1000mg total CBD in the cannabinoid panel.
• Other cannabinoids: Look for CBG, CBN, CBC, CBDA, Delta-8 THC, THCA, etc. Their presence is normal in full-spectrum products.

Step 4: Check the Pesticide Screen

The pesticide panel tests for dozens of agricultural chemicals that can be present in hemp grown with non-organic practices. Hemp is a bioaccumulator — it absorbs what's in the soil and environment — so pesticide testing is critical.

What you want to see: "ND" (Not Detected) or "PASS" next to every pesticide listed. Any "FAIL" or detected level above the action limit means the product should not be sold or consumed.

Step 5: Review Heavy Metals Results

Hemp can absorb heavy metals — arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead — from contaminated soil. The heavy metals panel verifies that none are present above safe limits.

What you want to see: "PASS" or "ND" for all four metals. Any detectable level above the lab's action limit is cause for concern, particularly for products that are ingested (tinctures, gummies, capsules).

Step 6: For Extracted Products — Check Residual Solvents

If your product is a tincture, concentrate, or vape cartridge, it likely went through an extraction process using solvents like ethanol, butane, CO2, or propane. The residual solvents panel confirms that no unsafe amounts of these chemicals remain in the final product.

What you want to see: All solvents at "ND" or well below the action limits. Ethanol is generally safe in trace amounts; butane and propane should be completely absent or undetectable.

Step 7: Look at the Test Date

COAs have a shelf life. A test from 2022 may not reflect the product you're holding in 2026 — formulations change, batches rotate, and quality can vary. Always confirm the COA was issued within the last 12 months and corresponds to the current batch.

Quick COA Checklist: What to Look For

• Lab is named, independent, and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited
• Batch/lot number on COA matches product packaging
• Delta-9 THC at or below 0.3% by dry weight
• CBD content matches the label claim
• Pesticide panel shows PASS or ND for all listed pesticides
• Heavy metals panel shows PASS or ND for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead
• Residual solvents (if applicable) at ND or below action limits
• Test date is within the last 12 months

Ready to shop with confidence? Visit CBDsStore.com to browse our full-panel tested hemp products — every COA is one click away.

⚠️ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Must be 21+ to purchase.