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Buyer Resource · July 2026

How to Read a Shilajit Certificate of Analysis

A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is the only independent proof that a shilajit product is what the label claims. Most buyers never look at one. This guide explains what each section means - and the specific numbers that separate safe, potent products from potentially dangerous ones.

What Is a CoA and Why Does It Matter?

A CoA is a document issued by an independent, accredited laboratory after testing a specific batch of product. It reports what compounds were found and at what concentrations. For shilajit, the CoA is the only way to verify three things the brand cannot prove themselves:

  • The product does not contain dangerous levels of heavy metals
  • The declared fulvic acid percentage is accurate
  • The product passes microbial safety standards

Section 1: Lab Accreditation

The first thing to check is who ran the test - not what the test found.

Look for:

  • ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation - the international standard for testing labs
  • A lab name and address you can verify independently
  • The test date and batch/lot number matching what you purchased

🚩 Red flag:

CoA from an in-house lab, no lab name listed, or a lab that cannot be found online. These are not independent tests.

Section 2: Heavy Metals Panel

This is the most critical section. Shilajit naturally accumulates heavy metals from rock formations. Compare reported values against these safety limits:

MetalSafe limit (daily dose)Reference standard
Lead (Pb)< 0.5 mcg/dayCalifornia Prop 65 / USP
Arsenic (As)< 10 mcg/dayWHO / USP
Mercury (Hg)< 2 mcg/dayWHO / USP
Cadmium (Cd)< 4.1 mcg/dayUSP

Calculate your actual exposure: multiply the concentration per gram by your daily dose in grams.

Section 3: Fulvic Acid Percentage

Fulvic acid is the primary bioactive compound in shilajit. The CoA should state the percentage by weight. What the numbers mean in practice:

60%+

Premium grade

High concentration. Typical of carefully sourced, minimally processed resin.

40 - 59%

Standard grade

Acceptable for most purposes. Ask whether percentage is fulvic + humic or fulvic only.

< 40%

Low grade

Below threshold worth paying premium for. Common in bulk capsule products.

Not listed

Unverified

The brand has not tested or is not publishing fulvic acid content. Do not assume quality.

Section 4: Microbial Safety

A complete CoA includes microbial testing. Look for:

  • Total aerobic plate count (TAPC) - should be within USP limits
  • Absence of E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus
  • Yeast and mould counts within acceptable range

How to Get the CoA

  1. Check the brand website - reputable brands publish CoA PDFs publicly
  2. Email customer service with your batch/lot number and ask for the corresponding CoA
  3. If neither works within 48 hours, treat the product as undocumented

Legitimate brands welcome CoA requests. Evasiveness is a quality signal in itself.

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