Testing and documents

Certificate of analysis [COA]

Q: Does a COA prove a product is sterile?

No. Identity, purity and microbial screening do not establish sterility. Scale does not test sterility, and its products are not for human or clinical use.

Results for an identified sample or lot, limited to the tests actually reported.

Read the guide

GlossaryUpdated 2026-09-24

An identified sample

Check the lot or sample and its connection to the inventory. A report can be in-house or third-party.

Reported tests

Read the issuer, date, methods, units, results and any stated limits.

Limited scope

Do not infer unreported tests. Identity and purity do not establish sterility or clinical suitability.

The short answer

A certificate of analysis, or COA, reports analytical results for an identified sample or lot. It may be issued by a supplier or a third-party laboratory.

Read the actual methods and results. Do not assume every certificate includes identity, purity, measured content, endotoxin or microbial tests.

What to check

Lot or sample identification and its connection to the stock
Issuing laboratory or supplier
Report date and report or accession number
Methods, units, results and reported limits
Supporting data where available

Verify the report

Match the lot and ask the issuer about its verification process. The same certificate may legitimately apply to several shipments from one lot. A report for a different lot does not establish results for yours.

Know its limits

A certificate only supports the tests it reports. Identity and purity do not establish sterility, all contaminants or clinical suitability. Scale does not test sterility. Available certificates vary by lot.

A useful next step

Read the actual certificate.

Available certificates vary by lot. Portal requests are reviewed by the Scale team before access is granted. Use the documents actually available rather than assuming a fixed panel. Sterility is not tested.

Read the COA guide →

Frequently asked questions

Does a COA prove a product is sterile?

No. Identity, purity and microbial screening do not establish sterility. Scale does not test sterility, and its products are not for human or clinical use.

What if the lot number does not match?

Ask the supplier to explain the connection or provide the correct report. Do not assume that results for a different lot apply to the material you received.

References

Your next step

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Review available products, account pricing and documentation in the portal. Business access is reviewed by our team.

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