What does “Certificate of analysis” mean?

A laboratory document recording the verified content of a specific batch of a product.

Certificate of analysis in plain English

A laboratory document recording the verified content of a specific batch of a product.

For a medicinal preparation it typically confirms cannabinoid content and screens for contaminants including heavy metals, pesticides and microbial matter.

Batch-level verification is the substantive difference between a prescribed medicine and cannabis obtained illicitly, where composition is unknown and adulteration has been documented.

Frequently asked questions

What does certificate of analysis mean?

A laboratory document recording the verified content of a specific batch of a product.

Sources and further reading

Every factual statement on this page is drawn from the following public sources. Links open in a new tab and are not affiliated with Flora House.

  1. NICE guideline NG144: Cannabis-based medicinal products
  2. NHS: Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils)
  3. MHRA: The supply, manufacture, importation and distribution of unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use

Patient guide · Written by the Flora House editorial team · Last reviewed: 8 September 2026