Cannabidiol (CBD) has become one of the most popular natural remedies for various health conditions and wellness applications in recent years. As the demand for CBD products continues to grow, it's essential for consumers to be able to trust that what they're buying is safe, effective and accurately labelled. This is where third-party laboratory reports come in.

 

A third-party laboratory report, also known as a Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a document that provides detailed information about the chemical composition of a CBD product. These reports are generated by independent labs that test the product to verify its potency, purity and safety. They are an essential part of the CBD industry and provide consumers with the assurance that they're getting a quality product.

 

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound in the cannabis plant and has been shown to have potential benefits such as reducing anxiety, improving sleep and managing pain. One of the main differences between CBD and its more widely-known cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is that CBD does not produce the “high” that is typically associated with cannabis use. THC is also a controlled substance in many countries, including the UK, whereas CBD is legal and widely available.

 

What is a CBD Lab Report?

In the UK, third-party laboratory reports are especially important due to the strict regulations surrounding the sale of CBD products. Without a third-party laboratory report, it's difficult to determine if a CBD product is safe and effective. To understand how to read a third-party laboratory report, it's essential to know what information it should contain. A typical report should include:

A certificate of analysis (COA):

This is the most important part of the report, as it provides a detailed analysis of the product's chemical composition. The COA should include information about the product's potency (the amount of CBD it contains), as well as the presence of any contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides and microbials.

Product information:

This section should include details about the product itself, such as its brand, batch number and date of test or manufacture.

Testing Company:

The report should include information about the testing company. This information can help you determine if the lab is reputable, accredited and uses proper testing methods.

Results:

This section should provide a detailed analysis of the product's chemical composition. It should include the potency of the product (the amount of CBD it contains), as well as information about any contaminants that may be present.

 

How to read a Third-Party Lab Report

To understand how to read a third-party laboratory report, you need to look for key pieces of information. The concentration of CBD should match the manufacturer's claim on the product label and the product should not contain synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides and herbicides, mycotoxins, yeast, microbials and mould. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products may contain additional components derived from the hemp plant, such as CBG, while pure CBD isolate products should not contain THC and additional cannabinoids.

 

You should use the report to focus on the cannabinoid you want to confirm, such as the CBD content. In the recent certificate of analysis for our Energy + Focus Oral Drops containing 1200mg CBD, you can see that the CBD content is 1199.20mg per 30ml.

 

fmula+ Energy + Focus Oral Drops - Laboratory Report

 

It's possible for the CBD content to be slightly above or below the amount specified on the label, but this difference shouldn't exceed 1%.

 

By understanding the composition that should and should not be present in a CBD product, consumers can make informed decisions about the safety, quality and effectiveness of the product. The UK allows the sale of CBD products containing less than 0.2% THC, sold as food supplements.

 

Summary

In conclusion, third-party laboratory reports are an essential part of the CBD industry in the UK. They provide consumers with detailed information about the chemical composition of CBD products, helping to make informed purchasing decisions. When shopping for CBD products, it's crucial to look for a product with a third-party laboratory report and to understand how to read the report to ensure that you're getting a safe and effective product.