Potency & Actives

Ensure accuracy and compliance with potency testing and active ingredient verification.
Our validated methods and advanced instrumentation confirm products meet label claims, ensuring safety, efficacy, and regulatory approval.

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What is it?

Overview

Potency and active ingredient testing ensures that products contain the labeled amounts of key compounds, supporting both safety and efficacy claims. These tests confirm therapeutic effectiveness, validate product formulations, and safeguard against under- or over-concentration.

Common Tests

Key Instruments Used

HPLC/UPLC

Quantification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), natural compounds, and bio-actives.

GC-FID, GC-MS

Determination of volatile actives, cannabinoids, essential oils, and other complex mixtures.

LC-MS/MS & Q-TOF

Ultra-sensitive detection and confirmation of active compounds in complex matrices.

UV/Vis Spectrophotometry

Routine quantification of compounds such as vitamins, polyphenols, or herbal extracts.

Applications Across Industries

Consumables

NHP

Cosmetics

Reference Methods

We adhere to established industry standards and reference methods, including ISO, Health Canada Standards, and other relevant guidelines. This ensures the reliability and comparability of our testing results. Our methods are continuously updated to reflect the latest advancements in materials testing.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Testing Basics

What is the difference between potency testing and identity testing?

Identity confirms the presence of a compound, while potency verifies the exact amount within a sample.

Why is active ingredient verification important?

It ensures products meet label claims, guaranteeing safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance.

How precise are potency measurements?

With validated chromatographic methods, results can be accurate within ±2–5%, depending on the matrix.

Industry Applications

Do all cosmetics require active ingredient testing?

Not all, but any product making specific claims (e.g., “contains 2% retinol”) must verify its actives.

How is potency testing applied to cannabis?

It quantifies cannabinoids and terpenes to confirm compliance with legal potency limits and consumer expectations.

What about fortified foods and beverages?

Active verification ensures labeled nutrient levels match actual concentrations, supporting both claims and regulatory requirements.

Compliance & Methods

Which regulatory bodies oversee potency testing?

Health Canada, USP, Ph. Eur., and ISO all set guidelines for potency verification across industries.

Do test results need to be validated?

Yes, all methods used must be validated for accuracy, precision, linearity, and reproducibility.

Are results legally defensible?

Yes, provided tests are performed in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs following validated methods and regulatory guidelines.