Identify the sample and laboratory
The report should name the laboratory, include a report number and date, and identify the sample in a way that can be compared with the product record.
Check whether the laboratory contact details and accreditation claims can be independently verified.
- Laboratory name and address
- Report or certificate number
- Sample description
- Lot or sample identifier
- Date received and date tested
- Authorised signatory
Read the test table
A useful table names the analyte or test, method, unit, result and relevant acceptance limit. Words such as passed or compliant are easier to interpret when the underlying values are also visible.
Watch for mismatched units, missing limits, cropped pages or results that do not identify the tested material.
Understand common test categories
Depending on the product and risk assessment, a report may include selected elemental contaminants, microbiological checks or other product-specific tests.
The appropriate panel depends on the material, processing and intended use. More pages do not automatically mean better evidence.
- Selected heavy metals or elements
- Microbiological quality
- Moisture or physical specifications
- Identity or composition methods where applicable
- Packaging or stability information from separate records
Know what the report cannot prove
A report supports only the sample and tests identified. It does not prove every future lot, every possible contaminant, a guaranteed medical result or regulatory approval.
Ask the seller to explain any limitation in plain language before you rely on the document.
Look for units, limits and the method—not only a Pass result
A report that shows only Pass or Fail gives less information than a table showing the analyte, result, unit, method and acceptance limit. Units matter because a number cannot be interpreted correctly without knowing whether it is reported in mg/kg, µg/g, ppm or another basis.
If a result is below a reporting or detection limit, the report should make that clear. Do not turn a non-detect into a claim that a substance is absolutely absent.
Build a chain from jar to report
The strongest practical use of a certificate of analysis is traceability. The jar should have a lot or batch identifier, and the laboratory document should identify the submitted sample in a way that can be connected to that lot.
Also compare report dates with production and expiry information. A legitimate old report may still be scientifically interesting, but it should not be presented as if it tested a newly produced batch.
- Jar lot or batch code
- Laboratory sample identifier
- Report date
- Named analytes and units
- Test method or method reference
- Acceptance criteria where applicable
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Does a certificate of analysis prove Shilajit is original?
It can support specific identity or quality questions only when the sample and methods are clear. It is not complete proof by itself.
Should the lot code match the report?
The seller should provide a clear traceability link between the product and the tested sample.
Is a metals report enough?
No. A selected metals panel does not address every possible contaminant, identity question or health claim.
What does ND mean on a laboratory report?
It often means not detected above the method's stated detection or reporting limit. It does not necessarily mean absolute zero.
Can one lab report cover every future batch?
No. A report documents the tested sample. Sellers should be clear about whether it is batch-specific, representative testing, or general historical evidence.
Evidence and regulation
Sources used for this guide
These sources provide regulatory, safety and quality context. They do not certify a specific product unless the source explicitly identifies it.
- Heavy Metals and Humic Substances in ShilajitPubMedPeer-reviewed review focused on heavy-metal toxicity and quality control.
- Determination of Nutritional and Poisonous Metals in ShilajitPubMedAnalytical study supporting elemental testing in Shilajit quality evaluation.
- Dietary Supplements: What You Need to KnowNIH Office of Dietary SupplementsConsumer guidance on supplement evidence, quality, interactions and safety.
- Alternative Medicines and Health Products — Product CategoriesDrug Regulatory Authority of PakistanOfficial description of herbal and health-product categories in Pakistan.