Third-Party Testing & Lab Accreditation

“Third-party tested” only means something when the third party is genuinely independent and accredited for the work. This guide explains what independence and accreditation actually require.

What “third-party” means

A third-party test is performed by a laboratory with no stake in the product being sold — neither the manufacturer nor the seller. In-house testing can be legitimate, but it is not third-party, and it carries an obvious conflict of interest.

What accreditation means

Accreditation is a formal recognition that a lab meets a quality standard — most commonly ISO/IEC 17025 for testing laboratories — granted by a recognized accreditation body. Accreditation is awarded for a defined scope: the specific tests and methods the lab is recognized to perform.

Why scope is the detail that matters

A laboratory can be accredited and still not be accredited for the test in question. A lab accredited for, say, environmental or food testing is not automatically competent-by-paperwork for peptide identity and purity analysis. Always check that the lab’s published scope covers the analysis on the certificate.

How to check a lab

• Find the accreditation body and certificate number. Recognized bodies maintain public directories.
• Read the scope document. Confirm peptide identity (e.g., MS) and purity (e.g., HPLC) appear in the accredited scope — not just a general “chemistry” line.
• Confirm the certificate is current. Accreditation has expiry dates.
• Match the lab to the COA. The lab on the certificate should be the lab you verified.

Common analytical methods

• HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) — the standard method for measuring purity.
• Mass spectrometry (MS) — confirms identity by measuring molecular weight.
• Combined LC-MS — pairs separation with mass detection for stronger identity and purity evidence.