What QA and Regulatory Teams Ask About Heavy Metal Tested

When a brand considers Heavy Metal Tested certification, the quality, regulatory, and compliance teams usually do the vetting. These are the questions they ask most often, with direct answers.

About the program

What is Heavy Metal Tested? An independent certification program from the Paleo Foundation. Products that meet a published standard for heavy metals can carry the Heavy Metal Certified mark.

Is it a laboratory? No. The program does not run testing instruments or issue lab reports. Testing is done through qualified independent laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. The program evaluates those results against the standard and licenses the mark. How labs fit in.

Which metals does the standard cover? Eight: lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, chromium, nickel, tin, and aluminum.

Where are the limits published? On Heavy Metal Certified. Limits are set by product subcategory.

About testing

We already test every lot. Why certify? Lot testing tells your team what was in each sample. Certification gives parents and retailers an independent, recognizable signal on the package, backed by a published standard. The two do different jobs. Lot testing vs certification.

Can our in-house lab do the testing? No. Certification testing must come from an independent laboratory. In-house testing remains valuable for day-to-day quality control.

Can we use our current third-party lab? Bring the details to the first call. If the lab is independent and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited, that is a good start.

What happens if a product does not meet the standard? The mark is not licensed for that product. That is a certification outcome, not a finding that the product is unsafe.

About compliance

Does certification satisfy California's AB 899? No. AB 899's monthly testing, website disclosure, and QR code requirements stay with the brand. AB 899 explained.

Does it satisfy FDA's action levels? No. Meeting FDA's expectations remains the brand's responsibility. FDA Closer to Zero explained.

Is it required by any regulator or retailer? No. Certification is voluntary.

Can we use our Paleo or Keto certification as evidence? No. Other Paleo Foundation programs cover different criteria and do not count toward Heavy Metal Tested.

About claims

What can we say on the package? That the product is Heavy Metal Certified: independently tested and certified to a published standard for eight heavy metals, renewed every year.

What should we avoid? Claims that a product is free of heavy metals, safe, or government-approved, and using the mark on products that are not certified. Claim language guide.

Can we certify the whole brand at once? Certification is product by product. The mark goes only on certified products.

About timing and renewal

How long does certification last? One year. Each product is retested to renew. Annual recertification.

What if we reformulate a certified product? Tell the certification team before launch. A significant change may need new testing.

How do we start? With a 30-minute call to review your products and the subcategory standards that apply. From there: apply, test through an independent lab, and receive the license for products that meet the standard.

FAQ

Is Heavy Metal Certified a laboratory? No. It is a certification mark. Testing is done through independent ISO/IEC 17025 laboratories.

Does the mark mean a product is safe? No. It means the product met a published standard when tested.

Is certification voluntary? Yes. No regulator requires it.

Next step

Vetting certification for a food or supplement line? Book a 30-minute call and bring your product list and questions.