What exactly is a CBD certificate of analysis and why is it important?
A relatively new hero on the wellness and alternative medicine market, there are plenty of resources out there that will tell you about the properties and varied uses of CBD. But what those resources often don’t focus on is the science behind CBD – and specifically the importance of the certificate of analysis in ascertaining the make-up of any CBD product.
In this blog post, we’re looking at what a CBD certificate of analysis is, and why it matters.
What is a CBD certificate of analysis?
Referred to as a CBD certificate of analysis or simply a CBD certificate, consumers should first be aware that every CBD product should have a certificate of this nature. The certificate essentially proves that the product has passed through a series of laboratory tests, which consider the CBD content within the product, any other ingredients, and the presence of other materials such as pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
By looking at the complete make-up of the product in terms of its ingredients, the certificate is a means of checking that the product will provide the wellness benefits it is marketed under, without potentially exposing you to toxic chemicals, pesticides, and other harmful products.
Why does the CBD certificate of analysis matter?
One of the major challenges that both retailers and consumers have within the CBD market is that products within the industry are unregulated and so manufacturers in particular have no legal guidelines that they must stick or adhere to in creating new products to sell.
What this means is that there is no overarching guide to follow in terms of ingredients and chemical make-up – making it hard to assess the reputation of a manufacturer and the goods they produce.
The CBD certificate of analysis somewhat bypasses this and presents a way that products can be tested for their safety and purity, after they have been manufactured – removing uncertainty and giving retailers and end consumers a definitive and trustworthy way of understanding exactly what is in the products they are buying.
However, it’s not necessarily as easy as it sounds to get your hands on the certificate of authority – and that’s because different markets have different requirements when it comes to the formal CBD certification.
The challenge around gaining a CBD certificate of authority
In the US, for example, it is not mandatory for CBD products to undergo the testing and receive a certificate of analysis, meaning that not every product can be confirmed as safe and reliable in its ingredient list. As a consumer, of course you can choose to pass over any product that doesn’t have that certificate – just be aware that the lack of mandatory testing beyond the basic tests means some products out there may contain more than what is featured on the packaging.
Finally, when looking at the certificate of analysis on a CBD product, we recommend looking for those with reputable third-party lab tests, rather than internal tests. This is because, due to being unregulated, some CBD manufacturers run their own scam labs which will print the results they want, regardless of the truth.
When looking for CBD products and exploring the CBD market, look for a trustworthy brand which not only provides a certificate of analysis for each product but gains those results from a third-party lab for the benefit of consumers. At PharmaHemp, you can shop safe in the knowledge that all our products are pure, free from nasties, and completely transparent in their ingredients.
For more information and to explore our full range, visit the blog section of the PharmaHemp website and browse our online shop.
