Comparison Methodology
The criteria and labels we apply to every company in a comparison.
Same criteria for every company
Each comparison applies the same criteria to every company, in the same order:
| Criterion | What we look for |
|---|---|
| Operating entity | The company or legal entity named on its own pages and policies. |
| Public COA access | Whether certificates of analysis can be viewed publicly, and how they are organised. |
| Named testing laboratories | Which third-party laboratories are named on the documents. |
| Accreditation shown | Whether a laboratory accreditation or certificate number is shown on the documents. |
| Test types listed | Which analyses are reported or described: identity, purity, content, endotoxin, sterility, heavy metals, residual solvents. |
| Batch-to-document matching | Whether documents carry a batch or lot identifier that can be matched to a product. |
| Manufacturing statements | What the company states about where and how materials are produced. |
| Shipping, order and support terms | Published shipping, cancellation, damaged-goods and support terms. |
Labels
- Source-checked: we confirmed that the cited public document or webpage contained the information stated on the date checked. This does not independently establish the accuracy of the supplier’s underlying claims.
- Document reviewed: we examined the specific document identified (for example, a named COA). This is not an independent laboratory test.
- Published policy checked: we read the supplier’s published policy page on the date checked.
- Company-stated: the supplier makes this claim, but the claim has not been independently substantiated for this comparison.
- Not independently verified: the available sources did not establish the point to the standard used in this comparison. This does not mean that the supplier lacks the service, process or documentation.
What we do not do
- No overall scores or star ratings. Where we name a recommended supplier, we list the dated, sourced reasons and the areas where the other company does better.
- No claims about the quality of any individual unit, based on a single document.
- No statements about use in people or animals.
- No unsourced claims about another company.
Dates and updates
Each comparison shows the date its sources were checked. Published terms change, so readers should confirm current terms with each company. Corrections can be requested through our contact page.
Research use only
FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
These products are intended exclusively for laboratory research purposes and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or medical condition.