Quality Standards
Quality Standards for Herbal Raw Materials: A Buyer's Checklist
Phytoprana Technical Team 12 September 2025 5 min read
Quality in the botanical trade is measurable. A rigorous buyer evaluates suppliers against a defined checklist rather than marketing claims.
The Essential Tests
Botanical identity (macroscopic and microscopic), assay for active markers, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic), microbial load, pesticide residues and moisture content should all appear on a Certificate of Analysis.
Documentation to Request
Beyond the COA, ask for method references, batch numbers and — for exports — phytosanitary and origin certificates. Complete documentation is a hallmark of a compliant supplier.
