As hemp products become more popular in retail, wholesalers and store owners face an important responsibility: stocking safe, compliant, and high-quality items. One of the most reliable tools for ensuring this is the Certificate of Analysis (COA). A COA is more than just a lab report—it’s the key to protecting your business, building customer trust, and demonstrating compliance with both state and federal hemp laws.
A Certificate of Analysis is a third-party laboratory report that verifies the cannabinoid content, safety, and compliance of a hemp-derived product. For wholesalers, this document proves that the product matches its label, is free from harmful contaminants, and is legal to sell under both state and federal guidelines.
The FDA’s consumer update on CBD stresses the importance of transparency in CBD and hemp markets. By requiring COAs, retailers can make sure the products they sell meet safety standards and consumer expectations.
Verifying COAs isn’t just good practice—it’s essential. Retailers who skip this step risk stocking non-compliant or unsafe products, which could lead to fines, liability issues, or damaged customer trust.
Beyond compliance, COAs act as a powerful marketing tool. Consumers increasingly want assurance that what’s on the label matches what’s in the product. A clearly published COA demonstrates transparency and builds loyalty.
The FDA’s warning letters show how costly ignoring compliance can be for businesses that mislabel or sell untested hemp products.
Reading a COA may feel technical at first, but breaking it into steps makes it straightforward:
Step 1: Verify Product Information
Check the product name, batch or lot number, and testing date. These should match what’s on the product packaging.
Step 2: Cannabinoid Profile
Review the levels of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids. For compliance in Virginia, THC must remain within legal limits, and labeling should reflect the actual content.
Step 3: Safety Tests
Look for testing results on heavy metals, pesticides, microbial contaminants, and residual solvents. These ensure the product is safe for consumers.
Step 4: Lab Credentials
Confirm the COA comes from an accredited third-party lab with ISO certification. Pure Shenandoah partners with trusted labs like Green Valley Analytics and ECC Testing Labs to guarantee accuracy and credibility.
For a real example, visit Pure Shenandoah’s COA page where every batch we produce is published online for easy access.
Red Flags to Watch For
When reviewing a COA, be cautious if you notice:
If you see these warning signs, think twice before stocking that product.
Working with a seed-to-sale supplier like Pure Shenandoah simplifies the compliance process. Because we control every step—from cultivation in Virginia fields to third-party testing—you can be confident every product is safe, legal, and transparent.
Our hemp products comply with both Virginia’s regulations and federal benchmarks set by the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production nationwide.
Explore our Wholesale Landing Page to see our full catalog of CBD and THC products, each backed by published COAs.
Pure Shenandoah makes COA access simple. Every wholesale partner can:
We also provide full education and support to help retailers explain COAs to their own customers, adding value at the point of sale.
Every hemp product you stock should come with a Certificate of Analysis you can read and trust. Partnering with Pure Shenandoah ensures you get seed-to-sale hemp products, backed by accredited third-party testing and published reports.
Apply now through our Wholesale Application or reach out via our Contact Us page to get started.
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