What Is CBD Third Party Lab Testing and Why Does It Matter?

CBD third party lab testing is when a CBD company sends its products to an independent outside lab to verify their contents, confirming THC and CBD levels match the label and that the product is free from contaminants. It matters because these independent test results are the best way to know what you're actually putting in your body. With CBD now sold almost everywhere, third party lab results let you confirm a product's quality, source, and THC content rather than just trusting the label. Reputable companies make these results readily available, and you should look for regular, up-to-date testing of new batches rather than a single old report.

Many people are hesitant to try CBD because they aren’t sure of the quality or what they’re actually consuming. And those hesitations are perfectly reasonable. However, with consistent third party testing, CBD consumers can be confident of what they’re putting in their bodies, and that they are using a high quality product.

What Is CBD Third Party Lab Testing?

Third party lab testing is when a CBD company sends its products to an outside laboratory to independently verify their THC and CBD content and confirm they're free of contaminants. The reason it’s a third party lab is because it’s less likely that an outside laboratory will lie or misrepresent the test results.

These tests confirm that CBD products have the amount of THC and CBD that their labels claim, as well as give the consumer peace of mind that the product is free from any contaminants. The majority, if not all, of reputable CBD companies will have their lab test results readily available for their customers to view.

Although you definitely want to look for lab results from a company you’re buying CBD from, it’s important to keep in mind that just having test results available does not always mean a company is producing reputable products. Look for regular tests and re-tests of products and their new batches. Having only one test result from six months ago and nothing more can be a red flag.

Why Is CBD Third Party Lab Testing Important?

The CBD industry remains largely unregulated, and the majority of products are not FDA approved. Now, we’re not telling you that you should put too much stock in FDA approval, or whether you should worry about that when it comes to your own personal health decisions. The choice is yours and the responsibility ultimately falls on your own shoulders to determine whether something you’re consuming is good for your health or not.

With that said, however, it’s not a good idea to consume products that are completely unverified and haven’t been tested to prove their claims or ingredients whatsoever. And given that most CBD products are not undergoing any testing by the FDA or other “official” body, you need data from a different source and a different stamp of approval to make the best choice for your body.

That’s where the third party lab testing comes in.

Some companies may try to cut costs by using low quality CBD or not ensuring that the CBD they sell is free of harmful contaminants. These are typically the same companies that don’t conduct rigorous and consistent third party testing, or who do not use a reputable lab to do so. They may make large claims about what’s in their products and what the products will do for you, but in the end, you can’t really know what you’re getting.

How Much THC Is in CBD Products?

Legal hemp products must contain less than 0.3% THC, an amount usually too small to cause effects, but a CBD isolate is best if you want to avoid THC entirely. Here is where third party testing can also be beneficial, so you can feel confident that the product you choose is below that threshold. If you are worried about drug testing, it would be best to choose a pure CBD isolate product.

When you find an isolate product you’d like to try, you should check its lab results to ensure that it is actually pure and does not contain THC.  

What If a Company Does Not Share Lab Test Results?

Lab tests will confirm that CBD products have the amount of THC and CBD that their labels claim, as well as giving you peace of mind that the product is free from any contaminants. Like we mentioned, any good, trustworthy CBD company should have their lab test results available for their customers to view.

If you are unable to find these lab reports, it could mean a number of things. For instance, it could mean that the product did not contain the stated amount of THC. Or, maybe the product contained harmful impurities. It could also simply mean the company simply forgot to upload the report to its website. Either way, it would be a good idea to reach out to the company in question and inquire about their lab testing.

How We Do Third Party CBD Testing at Urban Roots Hemp Co.

At Urban Roots, our products are tested multiple times. We have an initial test by the extraction supplier, raw CBD tested by us, and a final test on individual products by a third party lab. Every lab has an acceptable %error, typically +/- 5%, which gives them a 10% accuracy window. This 10% accuracy window is taken in account when we make our products, however this can cause a difficulty in perfect dosing.  The reason we get products tested again after they are made is to ensure we fall within appropriate range. 

We want our customers to understand we take pride in our product dosing, ensuring you're not receiving an inferior dose than labeled.  Our tests may not always seem perfect, but rest assured a product will not be available if we do not feel confident in the test result!

Click here to view the lab test results for Urban Roots products.

Check the Tests and Make the Best Decision for Your Personal Health

Finding the right CBD is really a matter of finding the product and company that can best help you fulfill your health and wellness goals. It’s also important to remember that trying CBD products from gas stations might not give you the full picture about CBD. Trying products for a whole month (to help it build up in your system) from a company you trust is the best way to really give CBD a try and see if it helps improve your well being. 

Research for yourself to determine what types of products you think will be best, talk to your doctor about your goals and any conditions, and then find a reputable company that has third party lab testing, positive customer reviews, and transparent business practices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is third party CBD lab testing?
It's when a CBD company sends its products to an independent outside lab to confirm THC and CBD levels match the label and verify the product is free from contaminants.

How do I find a CBD product's lab results?
Reputable companies make lab results readily available on their website; if you can't find them, reach out to the company directly to ask.

Does CBD contain THC?
Many CBD products contain trace amounts, but legal hemp products must contain less than 0.3% THC; choose a CBD isolate if you want to avoid THC entirely.

Will CBD make me fail a drug test?
To minimize risk, choose a pure CBD isolate product and check its lab results to confirm it contains no THC.

What does it mean if a company won't share lab results?
It could mean the product didn't match its label, contained impurities, or the report simply wasn't uploaded—either way, contact the company before buying.