Lab Partners

Lab results only matter if the lab is real, competent for the method, and reporting against a documented scope.
This page explains how lab partners are evaluated and how buyers should verify credibility in a compliance-first, EU-focused wholesale workflow.
This is operational guidance, not legal advice.

Related pages: Lab verification ·
Testing standards ·
COA requirements ·
Documentation hub

What “lab partner” means in this context

A lab partner is any laboratory providing analytical testing or reporting used to support wholesale batch evaluation.
“Lab partner” does not mean endorsement. It means the lab is part of the documentation chain supporting a batch file.

What buyers should not accept

  • Generic COAs with no batch/lot ID linkage
  • Reports missing test dates, methods, or units
  • Labs that cannot be contacted or verified independently
  • Reports that read like marketing rather than technical documentation

Baseline expectations for credible testing

We use a conservative standard: verifiable lab identity + clear method scope + consistent reporting.
If any of these break, the COA becomes “non-decision-grade.”

1) Identity and legitimacy

  • Lab legal name and physical address are present on the COA
  • Working contact channels (phone/email) that match the lab’s published information
  • COA/report number that can be validated (where the lab supports verification)

2) ISO/IEC 17025 alignment (preferred)

  • Prefer labs accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for the relevant test methods/analytes
  • Accreditation scope should match the panel being reported
  • Methods and instrumentation are disclosed at a level suitable for audit review

3) Method clarity and reporting discipline

  • Test method(s) and units are clearly stated
  • LOQ/LOD are included where relevant (especially for contaminants)
  • Sample received date and test date(s) are included
  • Batch/lot ID is consistent across the batch file

For what must appear on a COA, see /compliance/certificate-of-analysis/
and the reference format at /documentation/sample-coa/.

Verification workflow (how buyers should validate a lab)

If your procurement depends on third-party testing, verification is not optional—it’s basic hygiene.
Use this workflow before treating any COA as decision-grade.

  1. Match identifiers: confirm the lab name/address and report number on the COA match the lab’s official channels.
  2. Confirm scope: verify the lab can legitimately test the analytes shown (potency and/or contaminants).
    Prefer ISO/IEC 17025 scope alignment where applicable.
  3. Validate report authenticity: use lab portals/QR verification where available, or confirm the report number with the lab directly.
  4. Check reporting completeness: test dates, methods, units, LOQ/LOD, and batch linkage.
  5. Document the check: store a verification note in your batch file (who verified, when, and how).

This workflow is expanded here: /compliance/lab-verification/.

How lab documentation fits into the wholesale batch file

A professional wholesale batch file ties lab outputs to traceability and shipping records. The lab report is one artifact in a chain.

Common failure modes (and what to do)

COA looks incomplete or inconsistent

  • Pause approval and request a corrected COA with proper batch linkage.
  • Compare against /documentation/sample-coa/ to spot missing fields fast.

Lab cannot be verified

  • Treat the report as unverified and do not use it for compliance decisions.
  • Request testing from a verifiable lab aligned with your buyer policy.

Conflicting results between labs

  • Use a pre-defined retest/referee policy (ideally written into your procurement SOP).
  • Require chain-of-custody discipline and retained split samples for dispute resolution.

Quality discipline belongs in your internal SOP. Use /documentation/quality-assurance/
as the buyer-side framework.

FAQ

Do you “approve” labs?

We document verification steps and expectations. Final approval depends on the buyer’s policy and destination risk tolerance.
Start with /compliance/lab-verification/.

Is ISO/IEC 17025 required?

It’s the strongest baseline for credibility, especially for higher-risk decisions. Some buyers accept alternatives only with clear validation
and consistent historical performance. Align with your internal compliance policy.

What’s the fastest way to detect a weak COA?

Check for missing batch/lot ID, missing dates, missing methods/units, and lack of verification pathway (QR/portal/report number).
Compare to /documentation/sample-coa/.

Where do I learn what tests should be run?

Use /compliance/thca-testing-standards/ for baseline panels and sampling discipline,
and /compliance/certificate-of-analysis/ for reporting requirements.

For wholesale inquiries tied to a specific batch, use /contact/.