A certificate of analysis (COA) is the only hard evidence a research peptide supplier can give you. Some COAs are thorough, and some are a single number on a logo. This 7-point checklist is how Orion Peptides judges certificates, and the one we expect our own to pass. For a line-by-line walkthrough of a single certificate, see our How to Read a Peptide COA guide.
The market in one number
In a September 2026 review of 664 vendor-published certificates from 27 vendors, the median reported HPLC purity was 99.74%. Only 49% of vials were within ±5% of their labelled mass, and one in ten was more than 19% off (PepIndex). Purity is rarely the problem. Content, identity and verifiability are where certificates differ.
The 7-point check
- Named laboratory. The testing lab is printed on the report. Of 57 vendors indexed in that review, only 32 named their lab.
- Lab competence. Check whether the lab holds ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, the international standard for testing-laboratory competence (ISO).
- HPLC with the chromatogram. A purity percentage alone is easy to print. The trace shows the main peak and the impurity peaks.
- Identity test. Mass spectrometry is the strongest: observed mass should match expected mass. HPLC against a reference standard is a common alternative. Without an identity test, “99% pure” could mean 99% of the wrong peptide.
- Net peptide content. Measured milligrams, compared with the label.
- Batch-specific. The report names a production batch and its test dates.
- Retrievable. The certificate is public, without needing an account, and can be confirmed with the lab.
Why impurity profile matters, not just the total
FDA guidance on synthetic peptides makes the point that the specific peptide-related impurities matter, not just their sum. Impurities at 0.10% or greater are expected to be identified and characterized in that regulatory context (FDA guidance; FDA training slides). Research-grade certificates don’t need to meet drug standards. But a chromatogram with labelled impurity peaks is a sign the lab looked.
How Orion Peptides handles testing
Every Orion Peptides batch is tested by a third-party laboratory, Hyte Research Division. Each certificate reports identity and purity by HPLC, measured quantity per vial (per component for blends), and endotoxin screening. Certificates are published on our COA Verification page, with no account needed.
Compound-specific guides
- Retatrutide (LY3437943) COA guide
- GLP research peptides in the USA: supplier checklist
- Tesamorelin COA guide
- BPC-157 and TB-500 third-party testing
- Peptide blends: multi-peptide COAs
- Melanotan II COA guide
- SS-31 and MOTS-c supplier guide
- GHK-Cu COA guide
- Alternatives to Peptide Sciences and Strate Labs
Shop: Popular Orion Peptides research compounds
FAQ
What does third-party tested mean? The peptide was analysed by a laboratory outside the supplier, and the report names that lab.
Does 99% purity mean the vial is accurate? No. Purity and quantity are separate measurements. Check net peptide content.
Where are Orion Peptides COAs? On the COA Verification page.
Relevant resources
- PepIndex — September 2026 analysis of 664 peptide certificates
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017 — competence of testing laboratories
- FDA — Synthetic peptide guidance, May 2021
- FDA — Quality considerations for synthetic peptide generics (slides)
All Orion Peptides compounds are for research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
