This guide focuses on what matters in the real world: evidence, risk, and clear acceptance criteria.
What you'll learn
- Why this topic matters for sourcing and quality
- What documents/evidence to request
- Minimum acceptance criteria (with examples)
Key definitions
- Term 1 — buyer-friendly definition.
- Term 2 — concise definition.
Checklist
- Required documents collected
- COA fields present (lot #, method refs, criteria, results)
- Identity + spec matched
- Red flags reviewed
How to do it
- Request baseline docs from the supplier.
- Verify legal entity & facility details.
- Review COA vs acceptance criteria.
- Escalate any mismatches or missing method references.
Red flags
- Missing method references
- Results without acceptance criteria
- Inconsistent lot/date metadata
FAQ
Q: What if the supplier won't share recent COAs?
A: Ask for anonymized COAs or third-party lab proof. No evidence = unacceptable risk.