Not all COAs are created equal and some are outright fabricated. Here are red flags to watch for: 1) No lab contact information, 2) Suspiciously round purity numbers (always exactly 99.9%), 3) Missing batch/lot numbers, 4) PDF metadata showing it was created in Photoshop or similar, 5) Lab name that does not show up in Google searches. Always verify with the lab directly if possible.
This is an extremely practical summary for laboratory procurement screening. I’d also add several key warning signs from long-term QC observation: inconsistent retention time in HPLC chromatograms across batches, mismatched molecular weight peaks in MS data versus theoretical values, and missing instrument serial numbers/analysis dates on raw test reports. Authentic COAs should always be traceable — complete batch records, editable raw data files and verifiable lab accreditation information are essential proof, while polished static PDF documents without accessible source data are high-risk for forgery. Cross-verifying multiple test dimensions is always the most reliable way to avoid counterfeit peptide products for research use.
