A Certificate of Analysis is the only objective evidence that a peptide is what it claims to be. This guide explains what HPLC and LC-MS actually measure, what a purity ≥98% looks like on a real chromatogram, and how to spot a certificate that has been altered or fabricated — field by field, with an annotated example.
Peptide verification — the full picture
Educational guides for anyone navigating peptides in Ireland. How to read a COA, spot counterfeits, and understand what medical supervision actually involves. No products, no prices.
Information site. We don't sell products and we don't give medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional.
All articles are educational. This site does not sell peptides or give medical advice. Regulator in Ireland: HPRA.
Safety
How to spot counterfeit peptides: 7 warning signs
Retatrutide is the most counterfeited GLP-1 peptide of 2026. From missing batch COAs to LC-MS mass discrepancies and packaging inconsistencies — seven concrete signals that something is not right, and a reference table to use when evaluating any source.
Safe use
Peptides under medical supervision: why it matters
GLP-1 peptides are potent compounds with contraindications, drug interactions, and documented side effects. This guide explains what a licensed doctor actually provides — from history review to titration and follow-up — and how the HPRA regulates these compounds in Ireland.
Regulatory
The HPRA framework and peptide research in Ireland
An educational overview of how the HPRA classifies peptides under Irish and EU law, the role of EMA marketing authorisations, what “research-only” means in a regulatory context, and where to find authoritative current information. Not legal advice.
Verification
Reading a COA: identity, purity and batch (HPLC/LC-MS)
A detailed look at the three-step COA check: batch number match first, then identity confirmation by LC-MS, then purity by HPLC (≥98%). Includes reference molecular weights, a chromatogram illustration, and a purity interpretation table.
Quality
Independent lab testing: why it matters for peptides
Why a supplier-issued COA is not independent verification, what ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation means, how to check a laboratory’s status via INAB, and what additional tests (endotoxins, moisture) add to the analytical picture.