🎓 How to Audit a COA Before Retail Submission

🎓 How to Audit a COA Before Retail Submission

Introduction

Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are essential for retail acceptance, compliance, and consumer trust.

Before submitting your products to retail buyers, you must audit every COA for accuracy and compliance.


🧾 Step 1 — Verify Identity

Check:

  • Product name
  • Lot number
  • Batch number
  • Extraction type
  • Spectrum classification

🧪 Step 2 — Potency Panel Analysis

Confirm:

  • Total cannabinoids
  • CBD/CBG concentration accuracy
  • Δ9-THC <0.3%
  • Total THC = Δ9 + (THCA × 0.877)

Retailers increasingly require total THC compliance, not Δ9-only.


🔬 Step 3 — Contaminant Panels

Retail-ready COAs must include:

  • Residual solvents
  • Heavy metals
  • Microbial safety
  • Pesticides

📄 Step 4 — Date & Accreditation

Check:

  • COA date ≤ 12 months old
  • ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation
  • Signature or digital verification from lab

🧩 Step 5 — Label Match

Your COA must match:

  • QR code
  • Packaging potency
  • Serving size conversion
  • Total cannabinoids

Summary

Retailers expect fully verifiable COAs that demonstrate compliance, transparency, and accuracy.

A proper COA audit reduces rejection, increases trust, and protects your brand. Explore COA-verified ingredients