The Importance of Third-Party Lab Testing for Kratom Products

# The Importance of Third-Party Lab Testing for Kratom Products When it comes to kratom and 7-OH products, third-party lab testing is not merely a marketing badge — it is the single most important quality assurance measure that separates trustworthy vendors from unreliable ones. In an industry where product quality can vary dramatically between suppliers, independent laboratory verification provides the objective proof that researchers and consumers need to make informed decisions. This article explains why lab testing matters, what laboratories actually test for, how to read a Certificate of Analysis, and what 7OH North does to ensure every product meets the highest standards. ## Why Third-Party Lab Testing Matters The distinction between "third-party" and "in-house" testing is critical. In-house testing means a company is testing its own products using its own equipment and personnel. While this can be useful for internal quality control, it introduces an inherent conflict of interest — the company has a financial incentive to report favourable results. Third-party testing eliminates this bias by sending samples to an independent, accredited laboratory that has no financial relationship with the product manufacturer. Independent labs follow standardized testing protocols established by organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). These protocols ensure that results are reproducible, comparable, and scientifically valid. When you see a COA from an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, you can be confident that the testing methodology meets internationally recognized standards. ## What Laboratories Test For A comprehensive kratom product analysis covers several categories of testing, each designed to verify a different aspect of product quality and safety: ### Alkaloid Content Analysis This is the most important test for 7-OH products. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), laboratories measure the precise concentration of key alkaloids including 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine. This verifies that the product contains the amount of active compound stated on the label. For [7OH North tablets](/shop), this means every batch is confirmed to contain the exact 7-OH concentration specified on the packaging. ### Heavy Metal Screening Kratom plants can absorb heavy metals from the soil in which they grow. Laboratories test for four primary heavy metals: lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd). Each has established maximum acceptable limits, and any product exceeding these thresholds fails testing and must be rejected. ### Microbial Contamination Botanical products are susceptible to microbial contamination during harvesting, processing, and storage. Labs test for harmful bacteria including *E. coli*, *Salmonella*, and total aerobic microbial count (TAMC). They also screen for yeast and mould contamination, which can develop if products are stored in humid conditions. ### Pesticide Residue Analysis Even though kratom is often wild-harvested, some cultivation operations use pesticides. Laboratories screen for a panel of common agricultural chemicals to ensure that residue levels fall below established safety thresholds. ### Solvent Residue Testing For extracted products like 7-OH tablets, labs verify that no harmful solvent residues remain from the extraction process. Common solvents tested include ethanol, methanol, acetone, and hexane. ## How to Read a Certificate of Analysis A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is the official document that summarizes laboratory test results. Understanding how to read one is essential for evaluating product quality. A proper COA should include: - **Laboratory name and accreditation**: Look for ISO 17025 or equivalent accreditation - **Date of testing**: Results should be recent and relevant to the current batch - **Batch or lot number**: This should match the number on your product packaging - **Test methods used**: Standardized methods (e.g., USP, AOAC) indicate rigorous methodology - **Results with units**: Alkaloid content in mg/g or percentage, contaminants in ppm or ppb - **Pass/fail determination**: Each test should clearly indicate whether the sample met specifications If a vendor cannot provide a COA upon request, or if the COA lacks any of these elements, that is a significant red flag. ## 7OH North's Testing Commitment At 7OH North, every single batch of product undergoes comprehensive third-party testing before it reaches our customers. Our testing protocol includes all five categories described above: alkaloid content verification, heavy metal screening, microbial testing, pesticide analysis, and solvent residue testing. We work with certified laboratories that maintain ISO 17025 accreditation and follow Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). Our COAs are available to customers upon request, and we encourage researchers to verify our results independently. This commitment extends across our entire product line — from our [Pure 7-OH Labs tablets](/product/pure-7oh-labs-blue-raz) to our [Bare Kratom Shots](/product/bare-kratom-shots-blue-razz) and [7OX Power Blend](/product/7ox-power-blend-500mg). No product ships without passing every test. ## What to Look for When Choosing a Vendor When evaluating kratom or 7-OH vendors, lab testing transparency should be your primary criterion. Here are the key questions to ask: 1. Does the vendor use third-party (not in-house) testing? 2. Are COAs available for the specific batch you are purchasing? 3. Is the testing laboratory ISO-accredited? 4. Does the COA include all five major test categories? 5. Are results current (within the last 6 months)? A vendor who can answer "yes" to all five questions is demonstrating a genuine commitment to quality. At [7OH North](/about), we are proud to meet all of these criteria for every product we sell. Browse our [lab-tested product catalogue](/shop) and [contact us](/contact) if you would like to review COAs for any specific batch. *All 7OH North products are sold for research purposes only. Not for human consumption.*