A Practical Guide for Wellness Sellers Who Want Real Transparency
In today’s wellness market, trust is earned through proof. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are no longer “nice to have”—they are essential documents that regulators, marketplaces, payment processors, and consumers expect to see.
And that trust begins with choosing the right third-party lab.
The challenge? Labs vary widely in quality, accreditation, turnaround times, testing capabilities, and compliance standards. Choosing the wrong partner can slow down your operations or—worse—put your business at risk.
Here’s how to select a lab that supports your brand, protects your business, and keeps your products compliant.
1. Look for Accreditation That Actually Matters
Many labs claim they’re certified, but the gold standard for wellness and botanical products is ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
This accreditation ensures the lab follows validated testing methods and runs quality-controlled processes.
Why it matters:
• Regulators and payment processors often require it.
• It improves consistency and reliability across batches.
• It protects your brand from questionable or outdated testing practices.
If a lab cannot provide a current accreditation certificate, move on.
2. Make Sure They Test What Your Products Actually Need
Different products require different panels. For example:
• Cannabinoids → Potency, residual solvents, heavy metals, pesticides
• Kratom → Mitragynine, 7-OH, microbiological testing, heavy metals
• Supplements / Nutraceuticals → Identity, purity, strength, contaminants
A good lab should:
✓ Offer testing for your exact ingredients and formats
✓ Understand regulatory requirements in your target states
✓ Explain which panels apply to which products
If a lab tries to sell you a “one-size-fits-all” panel, that’s a red flag.
3. Review Their COA Format—This Is What Your Buyers and Banks Will See
Not all COAs are created equal. A high-quality COA should be:
• Clear and easy to read
• Product-specific (not generic)
• Linked to batch and lot numbers
• Dated within an acceptable time frame
• Structured so anyone—from consumers to underwriters—can verify the results
Poor formatting or missing data is one of the biggest reasons payment processors reject merchants.
4. Ask About Turnaround Times (and Whether They Stick to Them)
Testing delays can disrupt your entire restock cycle. The best labs:
• Provide realistic timelines
• Offer expedited options
• Communicate immediately if delays occur
• Have efficient sample-tracking processes
If a lab consistently misses deadlines, expect operational slowdowns and customer frustration.
5. Evaluate Their Customer Support and Expertise
A strong lab isn’t just a vendor—they become a partner in your compliance strategy.
Look for labs that:
• Assign an account representative
• Walk you through test selection
• Explain how to read COAs
• Provide guidance when regulations change
• Notify you if results look unusual and require retesting
If communication feels slow or unclear before you’re even a client, it won’t improve later.
6. Compare Pricing, but Don’t Choose Based on Cost Alone
Price differences often reflect:
• Accreditation level
• Technology and equipment
• Expertise of analysts
• Depth of testing panels
Cheaper is not always safer. In regulated markets, accuracy is worth every dollar.
7. Confirm Whether They Store Results or Offer Public COA Links
Modern wellness brands benefit from:
• Online result portals
• COA links for product pages
• Batch history archives
These features save time and build consumer trust. Even more importantly, payment processors often request direct COA URLs during underwriting or audits.
8. Check Their Reputation in Your Industry
A lab with a strong track record is easy to spot:
• Mentioned by respected brands
• Included in regulatory guidance
• Transparent about methods and validation
• Known for consistency and reliability
Avoid labs with vague details, missing accreditations, or negative industry chatter.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right third-party lab isn’t just about passing tests—it’s about setting your brand up for long-term compliance and credibility. A reliable lab gives you clean, accurate data that helps you operate confidently in a fast-changing regulatory landscape.
When your COAs are clear, recent, and trusted, everyone benefits: you, your customers, and your payment processor.
And to simplify this process, WAAVE integrates with leading accredited labs, allowing wellness sellers to handle testing, COAs, and compliance tools in one place. It’s a streamlined way to keep your products—and your business—fully aligned with regulatory expectations.
