Review a certificate against the requirement in the quotation. The buying decision is not simply whether a document displays a high purity figure: it is whether the identified batch and supporting records answer the questions that matter for the intended procurement.
Annotate the document before deciding
The example below is a blank review layout, not a certificate or test result.
| Certificate field | Buyer’s annotation |
|---|---|
| Material and catalogue code | Does this match the quotation specification? |
| Batch or lot | Is this the proposed supply batch or an illustrative sample? |
| Test and method | What attribute was measured, using which method? |
| Specification | What acceptance criterion was stated? |
| Result and units | Can the reported value be compared with that criterion? |
| Issuer, date and version | Who issued this record and is the revision complete? |
| Attachments | Do supporting records identify the same material and lot? |
A sample certificate can explain a document format. It cannot establish results for a future or different batch. Ask when the actual batch record will be allocated to the quotation and when it can be reviewed.
Keep the evidence boundary clear
A chromatographic purity result, an identity result and an assay result answer different analytical questions. Do not replace one with another in your acceptance criteria. If the certificate does not explain the result basis, ask for clarification from the issuer and your technical reviewer.
Record whether supporting chromatograms or other analytical records are available. Their existence alone does not make a method appropriate; any required analytical assessment belongs with a qualified reviewer.
Return a specific query
Use: “For quotation , please confirm whether the attached certificate applies to the allocated lot, identify the method for , and explain the result basis.” Keep the response with the controlled document version and procurement decision.
See analytical terms for the limits of headline percentages and quality documentation to specify the records required in an enquiry.
Primary framework: ICH Q7 section 11.4 addresses COAs; ICH Q2(R2) addresses analytical procedure validation. These references do not verify a supplier or certify any listed material.