Red flags in COA documents — how to spot fakes

This is an extremely practical summary for laboratory procurement screening. I’d also add several key warning signs from long-term QC observation: inconsistent retention time in HPLC chromatograms across batches, mismatched molecular weight peaks in MS data versus theoretical values, and missing instrument serial numbers/analysis dates on raw test reports. Authentic COAs should always be traceable — complete batch records, editable raw data files and verifiable lab accreditation information are essential proof, while polished static PDF documents without accessible source data are high-risk for forgery. Cross-verifying multiple test dimensions is always the most reliable way to avoid counterfeit peptide products for research use.