What A COA Should Include For Cosmetic Oils (12‑Point Checklist) — Purificados Official Guide

A missing parameter in your Certificate of Analysis (COA) can delay a product launch by weeks. A vague test method can fail a regulatory audit. An incomplete batch record can halt production when you need to trace a quality issue. At Purificados, we issue a full, lot‑specific COA for every cosmetic oil we ship — aligned to international methods and backed by accredited testing.

This guide distills our internal QA standards into a practical, expert‑level checklist you can apply directly in supplier qualification, first‑order verification, and ongoing monitoring.

Request technical specifications with complete COA documentation →

About Purificados QA & Compliance

Purificados supplies certified‑organic Moroccan cosmetic oils under ECOCERT (EU 2018/848) and USDA NOP frameworks. Every production lot is traceable from kernel to drum and accompanied by COA, SDS, and technical dossier upon request. We reference ISO/AOCS methods, and when necessary, confirmatory analyses are performed by ISO/IEC 17025‑accredited partner labs. This document shares how we structure COAs and how we recommend buyers evaluate them.

How to Use This Checklist

Use the checklist in three stages to build a robust, low‑friction QA process:

1) Supplier Qualification (Before Any Order):

• Request: certifications (ECOCERT/USDA), QMS overview, typical COA & SDS templates, product specification sheet, and contamination risk statement.
• Verify: test method references (ISO/AOCS), sample COA structure, traceability format, and retention policies (records kept ≥5 years).
• Approve: supplier if documents pass and samples meet spec; otherwise define CAPA items.

2) First Order (Pilot or Initial Commercial Batch):

• Request: lot‑specific COA (not a template), SDS, batch label photo, packing list, and analytical certificates for critical parameters (PV, FFA, fatty acids).
• Cross‑check: lot/Batch ID on COA matches drum labels; specs match contract; values within acceptance for your application.
• Decide: release for production, quarantine for retest, or reject per SOP.

3) Ongoing Verification (Every Shipment/Quarterly):

• Monitor: trending of Peroxide Value (PV) and Free Fatty Acids (FFA), and spot‑check fatty acid profile.
• Audit: annually re‑verify documentation, certifications, and change control notices.
• Improve: tighten specs as your brand evolves; update SOPs based on trend data.

12‑Point COA Checklist for Cosmetic Oils (with Practical Guidance)

1. Product Identification — Include INCI, CAS, product grade, and clear Batch/Lot ID. WHY: Links analytical results to physical goods and ensures traceability. HOW TO VERIFY: Confirm Lot ID on COA matches drum and pallet labels; file photos in your batch record; keep documents ≥5 years.
2. Supplier & Manufacturer Details — Show legal entity, facility address, and contact for QA/Regulatory. WHY: Establishes accountability and audit trail. VERIFY: Details match invoices and shipping docs; sanctioned‑party screening per your policy.
3. Analytical Test Methods — Reference recognized standards (e.g., ISO 660 for Acid Value; ISO 3960 for Peroxide Value; ISO 6320 for Refractive Index; GC‑FID for fatty acids). WHY: Comparable, reproducible results. VERIFY: Methods are listed for every analytical parameter, not just a few.
4. Organoleptics — Appearance, color, odor, clarity (e.g., ‘clear, golden; characteristic odor; no off‑notes’). WHY: Early indicator of rancidity or contamination. VERIFY: Aligns with your product spec and sensory panel notes.
5. Refractive Index (20 °C) — Confirms identity and batch‑to‑batch consistency; typical for argan ~1.465–1.475. VERIFY: Values fall within your spec; deviations may signal adulteration or mixing.
6. Specific Gravity (20 °C) — Checks purity/concentration; typical for argan ~0.910–0.920. VERIFY: Compare to product spec; monitor trends over time.
7. Acid Value (FFA%) — Measures free fatty acids; freshness indicator. Acceptance guidance by application: Facial <0.8%; Hair <1.5%; Body <2.0%. VERIFY: Tighten for premium serums to reduce oxidation risk.
8. Peroxide Value (PV) — Early oxidation marker. Acceptance guidance by application: Facial <5 meq O₂/kg; Hair <10; Body <15. VERIFY: Trend PV lot‑to‑lot; rising PV indicates storage or handling issues.
9. Fatty Acid Profile (GC‑FID) — Authenticates oil and detects adulteration. Typical ranges (Argan): Palmitic 11–15%; Stearic 4–7%; Oleic 43–49%; Linoleic 29–36%; Linolenic ≤0.5%. Typical ranges (Prickly Pear Seed Oil): Palmitic 10–15%; Stearic 2–4%; Oleic 12–21%; Linoleic 60–70%; Linolenic ≤1%. VERIFY: Compare to supplier spec and literature; investigate outliers.
10. Moisture (Karl Fischer) — Excess water accelerates rancidity and hydrolysis. Acceptance: ≤0.20% for premium cosmetic applications. VERIFY: Review sampling method and container integrity.
11. Contaminant Screening — Pesticides (GC/LC‑MS/MS), Heavy Metals (ICP‑MS), Phthalates (GC‑MS), PAHs, Residual Solvents. Typical specifications: Pesticides — Not Detected to LOQ; Heavy Metals — Pb ≤2 ppm, As ≤1 ppm, Cd ≤0.2 ppm, Hg ≤0.1 ppm; Phthalates — Not Detected; Residual Solvents — Not Detected for cold‑pressed oils. VERIFY: Ensure method and LOQ are stated; for organic grades, confirm certification scope includes the crop.
12. Sign‑Off & Traceability — COA should carry QA/Lab signature, date, and page count; reference lab accreditation (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025). VERIFY: Ensure signatory authority and that COA links to batch retain samples and test records.

Expanded COA Layout (Example Spec by Application)

Parameter	Test Method	Facial Serums (Spec)	Hair Care (Spec)	Body Care (Spec)	Interpretation / Notes
Appearance / Odor	Sensory / Visual	Clear, characteristic	Clear, characteristic	Clear, characteristic	No off‑odors; no turbidity
Refractive Index (20 °C)	ISO 6320	1.465–1.475	1.465–1.475	1.465–1.475	Identity / consistency check (argan typical)
Specific Gravity (20 °C)	ISO 6883	0.910–0.920	0.910–0.920	0.910–0.920	Purity / batch uniformity
Acid Value (FFA %)	ISO 660 / AOCS Cd 3d‑63	<0.80%	<1.50%	<2.00%	Freshness; lower is better for face
Peroxide Value (meq O₂/kg)	ISO 3960	<5	<10	<15	Early oxidation marker; trend over time
Moisture (%)	Karl Fischer	≤0.20	≤0.20	≤0.20	Excess moisture accelerates degradation
Unsaponifiables (%)	AOCS Ca 6a‑40	0.5–1.5	0.5–1.5	0.5–1.5	Bioactives; identity indicator
Fatty Acids — Palmitic	GC‑FID	11–15%	11–15%	11–15%	Argan typical range
Fatty Acids — Stearic	GC‑FID	4–7%	4–7%	4–7%	Argan typical range
Fatty Acids — Oleic	GC‑FID	43–49%	43–49%	43–49%	Argan typical range
Fatty Acids — Linoleic	GC‑FID	29–36%	29–36%	29–36%	Argan typical range
Fatty Acids — Linolenic	GC‑FID	≤0.5%	≤0.5%	≤0.5%	Argan typical range
Pesticides (multi‑residue)	GC/LC‑MS/MS	ND to LOQ	ND to LOQ	ND to LOQ	State LOQ and scope
Heavy Metals (Pb/As/Cd/Hg)	ICP‑MS	≤2 / ≤1 / ≤0.2 / ≤0.1 ppm	≤2 / ≤1 / ≤0.2 / ≤0.1 ppm	≤2 / ≤1 / ≤0.2 / ≤0.1 ppm	Impurity control
Phthalates	GC‑MS	Not Detected	Not Detected	Not Detected	Packaging/plasticizer check
Residual Solvents	GC‑MS	Not Detected	Not Detected	Not Detected	Cold‑pressed oils should be ND
Microbiology (TAMC/TYMC)	Plate Count	ND or <10 CFU/g	ND or <10 CFU/g	ND or <10 CFU/g	Oils rarely support growth
Allergen Statement	Reg. 1223/2009	No fragrance allergens	No fragrance allergens	No fragrance allergens	For raw oils without fragrance
Packaging Integrity	Visual / QA	Sealed, nitrogen headspace	Sealed, nitrogen headspace	Sealed, nitrogen headspace	Tamper‑evident; clean drums
QA Sign‑off	QA Procedure	Signed & dated	Signed & dated	Signed & dated	Traceable to retained sample

Practical Implementation Guidance

Storage & Shelf‑Life

• Store oils in full, sealed containers between 15–20 °C, away from light and heat sources.
• Use nitrogen headspace and minimize oxygen exposure when dispensing.
• Recommended shelf‑life (unopened, within spec): Argan oil 18–24 months; Prickly Pear Seed Oil 12–18 months; verify via PV/FFA trends.
• After opening, plan to consume within 6–12 months depending on handling and container size.

What to Do with Out‑of‑Spec Results (OOS)

1) Quarantine the lot and notify the supplier immediately.
2) Retest using a second, accredited lab; confirm sampling protocol.
3) Conduct root‑cause analysis (transport heat exposure, old stock, contamination).
4) Decide: reject, request replacement, or — if justified — consider blending only under QA approval and documented risk assessment.
5) File CAPA and tighten future acceptance criteria or handling controls.

Trend Tracking & Continuous Improvement

• Track PV and FFA per lot over time; visualize with simple control charts.
• Set alert thresholds (e.g., PV increase >3 meq O₂/kg between consecutive lots triggers supplier review).
• Review fatty acid profile annually to detect adulteration risks.
• Maintain a digital COA archive with lot photos and receiving inspections for at least 5 years.

Lead Magnets & Conversion

Looking for hands‑on help? We offer:

• Downloadable COA Review Checklist (free template).

• Sample COA Package (argan + prickly pear seed oil) with anonymized test reports.

• 20‑minute technical consultation to set acceptance specs for your application.

• Dossier request (COA, SDS, TDS, allergen, contaminants summary) for vendor onboarding.

Real‑World COA Red Flags (and What They Mean)

🚩- No method references: results may not be reproducible.
🚩- Identical values across multiple lots: possible copy‑paste or missing testing.
🚩- Wide acceptance ranges with no justification: inadequate control.
🚩- Missing signature/date or page numbers: weak traceability.
🚩- PV/FFA trending upward: storage or age issues; audit supplier handling.

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