In the international trade of pulses, grains, seeds, pseudo-cereals and edible nuts, the Certificate of Analysis, commonly known as a COA, is one of the most important documents used to assess a supply.
A COA reports the results of tests performed on a sample and allows buyers to compare certain product characteristics with contractual specifications and destination-market requirements.
However, the existence of a COA does not provide an absolute guarantee. The document is meaningful only when it can be accurately linked to the purchased lot, is supported by appropriate sampling and contains relevant, interpretable results.
A COA is not a technical specification or certification
A technical specification normally describes the expected characteristics of a product, such as origin, size, moisture, purity, packaging and storage conditions.
A Certificate of Analysis reports results obtained by testing a specific sample. A certification, such as organic certification or a management-system certificate, concerns compliance with a defined scheme or standard.
These documents may complement each other, but they are not interchangeable. A COA does not automatically certify an entire company, while a technical specification alone does not prove that a particular lot complies with the agreed requirements.
The first check is the lot identity
Before reviewing the analytical values, buyers should establish whether the certificate actually refers to the goods being purchased.
The COA should clearly identify the product, lot number, sampling or testing date and, where relevant, origin and crop year. This information should be consistent with commercial documentation, traceability records and markings on the goods.
EU food law requires traceability to be established throughout production, processing and distribution. The connection between the COA and the lot is therefore a fundamental part of document control.
A report without sufficient identification may contain technically valid results while failing to demonstrate the characteristics of the purchased shipment.
Which parameters should be included?
There is no single list that applies to every agricultural commodity. Testing parameters should reflect the product, origin, processing method, intended use, agreed specifications and destination market.
For pulses and grains, a COA may include physical and commercial characteristics such as moisture, purity, foreign matter, damaged seeds, defects, size and uniformity.
Depending on the identified risk, buyers may also request microbiological parameters, pesticide residues, mycotoxins, heavy metals or other regulated substances.
A longer certificate is not necessarily a better certificate. What matters is whether it covers the relevant hazards and whether its results can be compared with clearly defined legal or contractual limits.
Laboratory, method and unit of measurement
The laboratory’s identity, testing date, analytical method and units of measurement help the buyer understand the relevance and reliability of the results.
ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard addressing the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories. In the European Union, laboratories designated for official controls are generally required to operate and be accredited according to this standard for the relevant methods, subject to specific regulatory derogations.
Buyers should therefore consider not only whether a laboratory is accredited, but also whether the specific test method is covered by its accreditation when this is required.
It is also important to distinguish between “not detected” and “absent.” A result below the method’s detection or quantification limit means that the substance was not measured above the declared analytical capability. It does not necessarily establish absolute absence.
Why sampling matters
Even a technically accurate analysis may provide limited information if the sample does not adequately represent the lot.
The Codex Alimentarius publishes specific guidelines on sampling. Under Regulation (EU) 2017/625, samples used in official controls must also be taken, handled and labelled in a way that ensures their legal, scientific and technical validity.
This is particularly relevant for large consignments and for hazards that may not be distributed uniformly. A COA should therefore be assessed together with the available information about the sampling plan.
Interpreting the results correctly
Results must be compared with the contractual specification and the rules applying in the country where the commodity will be imported, processed or sold.
The form of the product also matters, as legal limits may vary by food category, intended use and analytical matrix. Buyers should also examine the method, measurement units, detection limits and, where relevant, measurement uncertainty.
A COA should not be treated merely as a document displaying “pass” or “compliant.” Its value depends on the consistency between the lot, sample, parameters, results and applicable requirements.
From documentation to responsible supply management
A well-prepared Certificate of Analysis helps reduce misunderstandings and disputes, but it does not replace supplier qualification, traceability, contractual specifications or risk-based control planning.
SAG Pulses BV operates in the international trade of pulses, grains, seeds, pseudo-cereals, edible nuts and other agri-food commodities, connecting production origins with destination markets.
Careful attention to documentation, specifications and the characteristics of each shipment contributes to more transparent commercial relationships tailored to the needs of B2B buyers.
Are you planning your next agricultural commodity purchase? Contact SAG Pulses BV to explore available origins, formats and supply solutions for your market.
