Anyone can make bold claims—but not every brand proves them. At AG1, we go beyond industry norms with independent testing, certified labs, certificates of analysis and full transparency.
At AG1, quality is a system built on science, transparency, and accountability at every step: From ingredient sourcing to formulation, manufacturing to post-production testing, every batch of AG1 is held to a rigorous set of standards that exceed the norm.
In this article, we’re pulling back the curtain. What does third-party testing actually involve? Why do certifications like Kölner Liste® and Informed Choice matter? What’s an ISO-certified lab? And how can you tell if a product is truly clean and reliable? Let’s dive in.
Here’s what you get with AG1:
Independent third-party testing across all batches
Certified by both Informed Choice and Cologne List®
Tested in ISO-certified labs
Publicly available batch-specific Certificates of Analysis
Constant formula innovation based on science and testing
Quality in supplements is about more than just having ‘the right’ ingredients. At AG1, we define quality as:
While this sounds obvious, many supplements on the market fall short in one or more of these areas. That’s why robust quality control processes are essential—especially when you're consuming a product daily.
Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplements in both the EU and the UK do not require pre-approval before hitting the market. That means the responsibility for safety, quality, and labelling falls on the manufacturer—and not every company takes this seriously.
Government bodies such as the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and FSA (Food Standards Agency) set rules around food supplements, but they rarely inspect or test products proactively. Instead, they act retroactively—stepping in only if a problem is reported.
That’s where third-party testing plays a crucial role. It acts as an external quality check, filling the regulatory gap and ensuring that claims are backed up by real data.
Third-party testing means that an ISO-certified independent laboratory—not owned by the supplement brand—carries out a range of scientific analyses on the product. This ensures:
- Competence: Reliable personnel, facilities and equipment.
- Testing Methods: Use of valid and appropriate methods for testing.
- : Accuracy and reliability of test results.
Let’s break down the core areas third-party labs evaluate:
This confirms that each listed ingredient is authentic and correctly identified. Methods like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry, or DNA barcoding (for botanicals) are used to verify identity—and rule out adulteration or mislabelling.
Here, labs check for unwanted substances such as:
These can affect not only efficacy, but also safety.
This assesses whether the amount of each nutrient matches what the label claims. Inconsistent or sub-potent formulas are unfortunately common in the supplement world.
Third-party testing acts as an external quality check, filling the regulatory gap and ensuring that claims are backed up by real data.
Certifications are independent stamps of approval from recognised third-party organisations.
This is one of Europe’s most trusted databases for doping-free sports nutrition. Products listed here are tested for substances banned in professional sport—making it a go-to resource for athletes and informed consumers alike.
AG1 is listed on the Cologne List®, confirming that our product is free of substances prohibited by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and safe for competitive use.
Operated by the globally respected LGC group, this certification is widely recognised in elite sport. It involves:
AG1 proudly holds Informed Choice certification, offering peace of mind for everyone from Olympic athletes to anyone who is serious about their wellness.
Every batch of AG1 is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (CoA)—a quality assurance document that summarises the test results from our third-party lab partners and verifies the formula's composition and confirms the absence of contaminants.
A CoA typically includes:
We publish these certificates here to provide transparent insights into our quality testing.
The supplement industry is crowded. But very few brands go to the lengths we do to guarantee quality, and even fewer are willing to be this transparent.
You shouldn’t have to be a scientist to feel confident about what you put in your body. But if you are curious—we’re ready to show you the science.
Your trust is everything to us. And we’ve built our quality systems to honour that. Find out more about our quality standards here.
Think of it as the nutritional world’s version of scientific peer review.
All of AG1’s third-party testing is conducted in ISO/IEC 17025/215 accredited laboratories. That number might look technical—and it is—but it’s the gold standard for lab competence.
Here’s why it matters:
In other words, ISO certification ensures that labs aren’t just doing tests—they’re doing them right.
But potency isn’t just about truth in labelling. It’s also a legal and functional requirement for making health claims. In the EU and UK, you can only communicate the health benefits of a nutrient if it's present at a level high enough to meet official thresholds set by regulators. For example, you can’t claim that a product “contributes to normal energy metabolism” via vitamin B12 unless the formula contains a sufficient, bioavailable dose of that nutrient.
This is why robust potency testing matters. It ensures not only that you get what you're paying for—but that any claims made on the product are both scientifically valid and legally compliant.
While not always included in third-party testing, some brands (like AG1) go further to confirm that key nutrients remain stable over time. Because a daily supplement should deliver benefits not just today, but six months from now too.
