How to Choose Extracts: Check These 3 Docs (COA, SDS, TDS)
How to Choose Extracts: Check These 3 Docs (COA, SDS, TDS)
For brand owners and manufacturers in the cosmetic and dietary supplement industries, selecting high-quality “extracts” is the cornerstone of a successful product. However, the decision-making process doesn’t end with price or a flashy catalog description. It must be backed by verifiable proof through three standard documents: the COA, SDS, and TDS. Think of these as the official “ID card” for your raw materials, directly reflecting a supplier’s transparency and reliability.
Therefore, having complete and clear documentation isn’t just a matter of regulatory compliance; it’s a critical tool that empowers your Research & Development (R&D), Quality Assurance/Control (QA/QC), and Regulatory Affairs teams to work with confidence and mitigate potential risks.
COA (Certificate of Analysis): Proving Real Quality in Every Lot
The COA is the most crucial document for confirming that the specific lot of extract you receive meets the agreed-upon specifications. In other words, it’s a “report card” issued for that particular production batch. Without a COA, you are essentially purchasing a raw material with no tangible proof of its quality.
Furthermore, industry best practices reference international standards, such as the guidelines from IPEC (International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council), which ensure the data presented is credible and verifiable.
Key Points to Check on Every COA:
- Assay/Content: Clearly states the amount of the main active compound, such as the percentage of Curcuminoids in a Turmeric extract. It must specify a reliable testing method, like HPLC.
- Identity: Confirms the material is the correct extract using specific techniques like HPTLC or FTIR.
- Safety Profile: Verifies that contaminants like heavy metals and microbial counts are within safe, acceptable limits.
- Traceability: Includes essential information such as the Lot/Batch Number, Manufacturing Date, and Expiry Date.
SDS (Safety Data Sheet): The Complete Safety Manual
While the COA focuses on quality, the SDS (formerly known as MSDS) is centered entirely on safety. This document provides comprehensive information on a chemical’s potential hazards and how to handle it safely, from storage and transportation to emergency response.
The information in an SDS is structured according to international standards like OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200, which mandates a 16-section format. For this reason, the SDS is an essential document for any operational team that handles raw materials, helping to create a safe working environment.
Key Information Groups in an SDS Your Team Must Know:
- Identification & Hazards: Specifies the product name, manufacturer, and hazard classifications.
- Composition & Emergency Measures: Shows key components, first-aid procedures, and firefighting measures.
- Handling & Protection: Recommends handling and storage practices, as well as necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Physical Properties & Disposal: Describes the chemical and physical properties, stability, and disposal considerations.
TDS (Technical Data Sheet): A Compass for Formulators
Finally, the TDS is the playbook for your R&D team. It provides in-depth technical data needed to effectively “design a formula” using the extract. This document answers the critical questions that a formulator has, such as:
- Appearance: Color, odor, and form (e.g., powder, liquid).
- Solubility: Is it soluble in water, oil, or other solvents?
- pH & Stability: How does it behave when exposed to heat, light, or different pH levels?
- Recommended Dosage: The optimal concentration range to achieve the desired effect.
For example, if a TDS indicates that an extract is not heat-stable, the R&D team can adjust the manufacturing process to avoid applying heat at that stage, thereby preserving the extract’s full efficacy.
Why ZUBB Biotech is the Right Partner for Your Brand
At ZUBB Biotech, we understand that your success is our success. That’s why we are committed to providing you with confidence at every step.
- Transparency is Key: You will receive a complete set of COA, SDS, and TDS documents with every order, allowing for full transparency.
- Proven Quality: Our COAs specify international standard testing methods like HPLC/UPLC with clear acceptance criteria.
- Seamless Integration: Our documents are formatted to be clear and easy to use for your QA/QC and regulatory teams.
- Expert Support: Our technical team is ready to help interpret scientific data and provide practical advice for your formulation needs. If you have any questions, you can contact us here.
Start creating superior products. Explore our range of high-quality extracts on our Our Active Ingredients page.
Checklist Before Your Next Extract Purchase
[ ] Request the COA corresponding to the specific lot you will receive, and check the lot number and expiration date.
[ ] Verify the Test Method and Acceptance Criteria on the COA for reliability.
[ ] Ask for the latest version of the SDS to plan for storage and employee training.
[ ] Use the TDS to allow your R&D team to evaluate solubility, recommended dosage, and stability.
[ ] File all documents in your quality system to be prepared for future audits.