Identity comes first
Record the botanical or chemical identity, source material, plant part and production route. For an extract, specify the extraction process and composition.
Make assay claims comparable
Include the marker, reporting basis and analytical method. A percentage measured by one method may not be comparable with another.
Add the physical requirements
Specify particle size, solubility or dispersibility, color, odor and any sensory criteria relevant to the application.
State the intended use
Include application, destination market, target volume and required documents. Ask for a proposed specification before comparing commercial terms.
Read the method, limit and actual result together
FDA guidance on dietary-supplement manufacturing discusses supplier COAs that include test methods, limits and actual results, alongside conditions for relying on a supplier COA. Use that context to define document questions for your proposed material.
FDA: dietary-supplement manufacturing guidance ↗Read for the stated purchasing context. This source does not certify our company or establish approval of an offered material. Reference checked 27 October 2026.