🏅 What a Certificate Means
Certification programs check whether a product contains prohibited substances. It is not just the factory that is tested, but a specific batch — samples are taken from the products that reach store shelves. This matters because contaminants more often arise from shared equipment, raw material suppliers, or packaging lines, rather than deliberate adulteration.
🔍 Most Common Programs
| Program | What it checks | What is worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Informed Sport | Batches against the list of prohibited substances | The product is registered and labeled with the logo |
| NSF Certified for Sport | The product and batches | Additionally, the label and manufacturing site are checked |
| Cologne List | Products that the manufacturer submitted voluntarily | It is a list, not a mark on the package |
| GMP, “natural”, halal | Manufacturing practice or a composition attribute | This is not a doping test — these marks do not say anything about prohibited substances |
Program names and order change over time, so the most reliable information is the program’s website, not just the logo on the package.
🔎 How to Check a Specific Product
- Find the logo and batch number (lot number) on the package — without it, it is impossible to check a specific container.
- Check on the program’s website by manufacturer and batch, rather than trusting only the logo image.
- Make sure that your batch was tested — old certificates may apply to a previous production cycle.
- If the formula or packaging changes check again.
- Conservative approach: a certificate significantly reduces risk, but no program provides an absolute guarantee.
⚠️ What a Certificate Does Not Guarantee
- Efficacy — it does not say whether the product will help your goal.
- Appropriate doses — dosing is always individual (see creatine dose).
- Absence of side effects — allergies and digestive reactions are possible even with certified products.
- Safety when you have medical conditions — if you take medications or have a health condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.
- Correctness of other marks — “natural”, “premium”, or “lab” are not certification programs.
🙋 FAQ
Are certified supplements more expensive? Often yes, because testing costs money and part of it is reflected in the price. Whether it is worth it depends on whether you are tested at competitions.
Do all programs test every batch? No. Some test batches continuously, others test the product at registration. The difference matters when you need evidence about a specific container.
What to do if you find a discrepancy? Keep the batch number and contact the manufacturer and the program administrator; in the case of competition, notify your federation.