COA, batch numbers and traceability
What a COA actually says
A certificate of analysis reports measured values for a batch against the specification the product is sold to. For fluorocarbon refrigerants the specification in common use is AHRI 700, which caps purity, moisture, non-condensable gases, acidity and high-boiling residue. A COA lists what the batch measured for those parameters.
It is a batch document, not a product document. Two cylinders of the same gas from the same brand can carry different certificates because they came off different fills. That is the point of it.
Who issues it, and who cannot
The manufacturer issues it, because the manufacturer ran the tests. We are a supplier, not a testing laboratory, so we pass the manufacturer's documents through rather than certifying anything ourselves. Any dealer who offers you their own conformity certificate for someone else's gas is describing a capability they do not have.
This distinction matters when a plant audit asks for evidence. The evidence is the manufacturer's document plus an invoice naming the brand and product, which is why a vague invoice line is worth refusing.
The batch number is the whole mechanism
Traceability is not a certificate on its own. It is a chain: the batch number stamped or labelled on the cylinder, the same number on the manufacturer's document, and an invoice that names the brand and the product so the cylinder can be tied to a purchase. Break any link and the other two stop meaning much.
Before you sign for a delivery, it takes about ten seconds to check that the marking on the cylinder matches the paperwork you were sent. It is the cheapest counterfeit check available, and it catches the lazy end of the problem.
What to ask a supplier for
Ask for the Safety Data Sheet, an invoice naming brand and product, and, where your process needs it, the manufacturer's batch documentation for the cylinders you are being sent. For R-22 add the seller's ODS registration number. A supplier who can produce those without hesitation is running a normal business. One who treats the request as unusual is worth a second thought.
Quick answers
Do you issue a certificate of analysis?
No. The manufacturer issues it, because the manufacturer ran the tests. We supply the manufacturer's documentation and an invoice naming the brand and product.
Is a COA the same as a Safety Data Sheet?
No. An SDS covers hazards, handling, storage and first aid for the product in general. A COA reports measured values for one specific production batch.
What is AHRI 700?
The industry specification for acceptable contaminant levels in fluorocarbon refrigerants, covering purity, moisture, non-condensables, acidity and residue. Manufacturers publish conformity against it.
How do I check a cylinder against its paperwork?
Match the batch or lot number marked on the cylinder to the number on the manufacturer's document, and check the invoice names the same brand and product.
- AHRI Standard 700 · specifications for refrigerants · ahrinet.org.
- Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 · cylinder marking requirements · peso.gov.in.
- Gujarat Fluorochemicals · published Safety Data Sheets and Technical Data Sheets for the lines we hold.
This guide is general information compiled from the cited sources — not legal, safety or engineering advice. Read our full disclaimer.
Related: AHRI 700 explained · Genuine vs counterfeit · Supplier documentation · Reading a cylinder label