Why it matters
A complete kratom COA covers four categories: alkaloid content (at minimum mitragynine; ideally 7-hydroxymitragynine and the trace alkaloids), heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury), microbial contamination (total aerobic count, yeast/mould, E. coli, salmonella), and pesticide residue. The lab’s name, accreditation, batch number, and date of testing should all be visible.
In practice
For a consumer the COA is the only check on the marketing label. A vendor that publishes a COA for every batch, links to it from the product page, and tests at an accredited (ideally ISO 17025) laboratory has met the bar that the kratom industry’s harm-reduction advocates have spent a decade arguing for. A vendor that won’t produce one has not.
Common confusion
A COA is not a guarantee of safety. It tells you what the batch contained at the moment of testing; it doesn’t tell you the product was handled correctly between the lab and your door. It also doesn’t certify clinical safety — kratom’s pharmacology carries real risks even at clean COA percentages.
This glossary entry is editorial content reviewed against primary sources. It is not medical advice. See our Editorial Policy.