Finding a certificate of analysis is a good beginning. Understanding what it does and does not show is the next step. A COA is a record of testing on a submitted sample, not a universal approval stamp for every can with the same brand name.
First match the exact product and batch using our batch-matching checklist. Once that identity question is resolved, use these three questions to read the results more carefully.
1. What quantity do the potency numbers describe?
Read the column headings and units before comparing a result with the package. A value expressed in mg/g is not the same thing as mg per serving or mg per can. Percentages also describe a different basis from a per-container amount.
If a comparison requires the sample’s mass, serving size, or another conversion that is not supplied, ask for clarification instead of guessing. A decimal that looks small can be misleading when the units are ignored. Keep each cannabinoid on its own line.
2. Which testing panels are actually included?
A potency page does not establish that the sample was also tested for pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, or microbiological contaminants. Look for the named panels and their actual results. A missing panel is an unanswered question; it is not evidence of a pass.
Reports can have multiple pages. Review the complete file, including sample identifiers, analytical methods, notes, and result explanations. A cropped screenshot may omit information you need to interpret the visible table.
3. What do the result symbols and limits mean?
Abbreviations such as ND, LOD, or LOQ need the laboratory’s own definitions. A result below a reporting or detection limit should not casually be rewritten as a guarantee that a substance is absent. Likewise, a pass statement applies to the listed test and its stated criteria.
Record the laboratory name, report identifier, and any missing explanations. If you cannot interpret a result, ask the manufacturer or laboratory for a plain-language explanation rather than treating uncertainty as either proof of danger or proof of safety.
Keep lab review separate from shipping and legal eligibility
A COA alone does not establish that a finished beverage can be sold or shipped to every location. Do not turn a single potency percentage into a blanket legal conclusion. Use current retailer restrictions and qualified guidance for location-specific questions.
Where to start
Open IncredMed’s Lab Results library and keep the product label beside the report. If a document is missing, inconsistent, or incomplete, ask us for the relevant information before ordering.
For adults 21+. This checklist supports document review; it is not a laboratory certification or legal opinion.