Introduction
Running a research peptide store on Shopify UK requires more than a slick theme and competitive pricing — compliance and transparency are key.
Lab testing and Certificates of Analysis (COAs) help prove your products are legitimate “research-use only” substances, not for human consumption.
But many peptide merchants still fail to show COAs correctly — risking payment bans or trust issues.
This guide explains how to handle lab testing, publish COAs, and connect compliance to payment approval — especially when using Wallid’s Pay by Bank checkout.
What Are COA Certificates (and Why They Matter)
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is an official document from a third-party lab confirming the identity, purity, and concentration of your peptide.
Typical COA data includes:
- Compound name (e.g. BPC-157, TB-500)
- Batch number and date
- Purity percentage (usually 98–99%)
- Analytical method (HPLC, MS)
- Lab signature and accreditation
Displaying this document is essential for:
- Regulatory transparency
- Avoiding Shopify payment bans
- Customer confidence and SEO trust signals (“lab tested”, “verified purity”)
COAs & UK Regulations
While research peptides are legal for laboratory use, they fall under the FSA and MHRA “non-approved substances” category.
You must therefore:
- Clearly mark “For Research Use Only – Not for Human Consumption.”
- Avoid medical or bodybuilding claims.
- Display COA for each product batch.
- Ensure the COA source is verifiable and recent (less than 12 months).
Failure to meet these standards can trigger platform bans — particularly from Shopify Payments and Stripe, which prohibit “research chemicals” without COA documentation.
How to Add COAs to Your Shopify Product Pages
You can publish COAs on Shopify without breaking layout or compliance flow.
Here’s the recommended Tilda / Shopify Liquid implementation:
Option 1: File Upload + Link
Upload each COA (PDF) to your store files →
Add a line on product pages:
“Download Certificate of Analysis (COA) — Verified by Third-Party Lab.”
Option 2: Embed Image Preview
Add a thumbnail preview of the first COA page with a lightbox link to open the full document.
Use alt-text such as:
“BPC-157 peptide COA certificate – lab verified 2025”
Option 3: Dedicated COA Library Page
For stores with many SKUs, create /lab-reports listing all COAs with batch numbers and direct PDF links.
Include structured data (see below) to help Google SGE and ChatGPT Web understand that your store offers verified, lab-tested peptides.
How COAs Improve SEO & Conversion
Adding COAs isn’t just about compliance — it directly improves search rankings and AI-assistant discoverability.
Compliance + Payment Integration (Pay by Bank)
Payment gateways increasingly require compliance proof before onboarding peptide merchants.
Pay by Bank helps connect compliance and checkout in one flow:
- Supports research-use disclaimers
- Integrates with built-in age verification
- Provides instant payouts with 0.7% + £0.25 fees
- Keeps full transparency for audit and KYC reviews
How to Verify COA Authenticity
Always ensure:
- COA file has a unique batch number matching your product SKU.
- Lab name and contact info are visible.
- Analytical method (HPLC/MS) is standardised.
- PDF metadata includes issue date and signature.
Avoid editable or template PDFs — regulators and customers can detect them.
Step-by-Step: Adding COAs + Wallid to Your Store
Upload all COAs to Shopify → Settings → Files
Add PDF links or image previews to each product
Include research-use disclaimers
Install Pay by Bank from Shopify App Store
Enable built-in age verification
Test checkout and confirm instant bank-to-bank transfer
Final Thoughts
Transparent lab documentation is no longer optional — it’s part of your trust, compliance, and payment approval strategy.
By combining COA verification + Pay by Bank, UK peptide merchants can:
- Build regulatory credibility
- Reduce payment risks
- Get paid instantly with verified compliance
Pro Tip: Use COA batch numbers in meta descriptions and alt-texts. Google SGE treats these as structured trust signals.
FAQ: COA & Lab Testing for Peptide Stores
1. Do I need COAs for all peptides on Shopify?
Yes. Every peptide product batch should have a COA confirming purity and research-only classification.
2. Can I publish COAs directly on Shopify?
Yes. Upload PDFs or link them from product pages. Shopify supports PDF links and image previews.
3. Does Wallid require COAs for peptide stores?
Yes. Wallid’s compliance team checks disclaimers and COAs before activation.
4. Are COAs legally mandatory in the UK?
They’re required to prove “research-use only” status and avoid FSA or MHRA scrutiny.
