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Third-party testing is not required by federal law, but your manufacturer must test for identity, purity, strength and composition under cGMP, and some sales channels now require independent verification. Here is how the main programs differ.
Researched against our directory of 195 makers, maker-published documents and official sources. Last reviewed October 2026. Figures change, so confirm with the maker before budgeting.
Federal cGMP rules (21 CFR part 111) require manufacturers to establish and meet specifications for identity, purity, strength and composition. They do not require an outside lab or a certification mark.
Amazon does: since April 2, 2024 its dietary supplements policy requires products to be verified through a third-party testing, inspection and certification (TIC) organization, and it has named NSF, Eurofins and UL, with test data going from the lab straight to Amazon.
A COA reports test results for a specific batch. Ask for the COA of a finished batch, not an ingredient spec sheet; check the lot number matches your product; and check which lab ran the tests and whether it is ISO 17025 accredited. Makers that state they provide COAs or third-party testing are listed in third-party tested manufacturers.
Not under federal law, which requires manufacturers to test against their own specifications under cGMP. Amazon has required third-party TIC verification for dietary supplements since April 2, 2024, and some retailers set their own rules.
Yes. Since April 2, 2024, dietary supplements sold on Amazon must be verified through a third-party testing, inspection and certification organization; Amazon has named NSF, Eurofins and UL.
Amazon said in April 2024 that products certified to NSF/ANSI 173 or NSF 229 meet its dietary supplement policy requirements. Check the current policy in Seller Central, which Amazon updates.
NSF tests the finished product for contaminants and label claims, certifies it free of substances banned by major sporting organizations, and audits the manufacturing facility annually or bi-annually.
A certificate of analysis: a document reporting a batch's test results, such as identity, potency and contaminants. Check that the lot number matches and that the testing lab is ISO 17025 accredited.
No. The FDA is the regulator; NSF is an independent organization that audits facilities and certifies products. FDA facility registration is a legal requirement, while NSF certification is voluntary.