If you’re selling hemp, kratom, or other wellness products, you’ve probably heard the term Certificate of Analysis (COA) more times than you can count. But here’s the truth: a COA isn’t just another piece of red tape—it’s the single most important document keeping your products on the market and your money flowing.
Without it? You’re leaving your business wide open to fines, product seizures, or worse—getting cut off from payments.
Why COAs Are Non-Negotiable
Think of a COA as your business’s passport: no passport, no travel. No COA, no sales. It’s that simple.
- Consumers expect it. Shoppers want proof, not promises. A COA shows what’s really in your product.
- Banks demand it. Payment processors won’t take risks without seeing valid documentation.
- Regulators enforce it. Selling without a compliant COA is basically asking for trouble.
The 7 Rules Every COA Must Follow
Here’s where most sellers slip up. A COA isn’t valid unless it checks all these boxes:
- Freshness matters – Your COA can’t be older than 12 months.
- Exact names only – The product name on the COA must match what you’re selling—no “close enough.”
- From the right source – It has to come from an accredited lab.
- Every variation counts – Multiple flavors, sizes, or strengths = multiple COAs.
- Company link – If your business name isn’t on the COA, you need an invoice that connects the dots.
- End product testing – Ingredients aren’t enough; the final product must be tested.
- Visible to all – Your COA must be displayed on the product page. No hiding it.
Miss just one of these, and your COA could be rejected.
How WAAVE Takes the Stress Out of COAs
We get it—managing COAs can feel like juggling fire. That’s why WAAVE is connected with the best accredited labs in the industry. Our sellers get:
- Special pricing that saves money on mandatory testing
- Faster turnaround for COA results
- Seamless compliance checks so mistakes don’t slip through
- Peace of mind knowing your products won’t get flagged by banks or regulators
With WAAVE, your COAs don’t just sit in a file—they work actively to keep your business running smoothly.
Wellness sellers who treat COAs as an afterthought are setting themselves up for failure. The smart ones know: a valid COA is your ticket to sales, trust, and long-term survival in this industry.
👉 WAAVE makes sure you’re not just “checking the box,” but building compliance into the heart of your business.
