IOC-approved laboratories and certificate of analysis
In brief
A certificate of analysis (COA) only holds value for export if it is issued by an IOC-approved laboratory (International Olive Council) and drawn up per lot. In Tunisia, it is the National Oil Office (ONH) that performs the official analysis of every lot before export. The COA proves the oil's commercial category (extra virgin, virgin, lampante) via exact thresholds: free acidity ≤ 0.80%, peroxide value ≤ 20, K232 ≤ 2.50, K270 ≤ 0.22, ΔK ≤ 0.01 for extra virgin. This page explains the role of approved labs, the mandatory content of a COA and how to read it to avoid any dispute on arrival. We do not publish a named list of laboratories: the reference is the official, up-to-date list from the IOC and the ONH.
Free lead magnet: "Reading a COA" guide — every parameter explained, IOC/EU thresholds, lot-by-lot verification checklist. Receive it by email »
What is an IOC-approved laboratory for?
The IOC (International Olive Council) recognises laboratories whose methods and results are reliable and comparable internationally. A COA issued by an IOC-approved lab is accepted by buyers and customs worldwide; a COA from an unrecognised lab may be rejected. The approved laboratory:
- runs the official methods (IOC / EU 2568/91 and subsequent acts);
- analyses each lot before shipment;
- issues a dated, signed bulletin attesting the oil's category.
In Tunisia, the ONH is the reference body: the per-lot ONH analysis is a mandatory step in the export procedure.
What a COA must contain (exact thresholds)
A compliant COA states at least these parameters. Here are the extra virgin (EVOO) thresholds — reference values never to be invented:
| Parameter | Extra virgin threshold | What it indicates |
|---|---|---|
| Free acidity (% oleic acid) | ≤ 0.80% | Fruit degradation / freshness |
| Peroxide value (mEq O₂/kg) | ≤ 20 | Primary oxidation |
| K232 | ≤ 2.50 | UV absorbance (oxidation) |
| K270 | ≤ 0.22 | UV absorbance (oxidation / refining) |
| ΔK | ≤ 0.01 | Refined-oil detection |
| IOC sensory panel | Md = 0; Mf > 0 | Defect median / fruitiness (approved panel) |
| Polyphenols (optional) | ≥ 250 mg/kg → EFSA claim | Health/quality argument |
These thresholds are those of the IOC/T.15/NC trade standard and EU regulation. They are exact, but the version in force is (periodic IOC revisions).
For virgin (non-extra), acidity rises to ≤ 2.0% and the defect median to ≤ 3.5; beyond that, the oil is lampante (not marketable as is, destined for refining). Category details on quality & process.
Per-lot analysis: why it's non-negotiable
Olive oil is a living product: its quality varies from one lot to the next depending on harvest, milling and storage. A per-lot COA guarantees that the shipped lot matches the announced category — not a previous lot. Best practices:
- One dated, signed COA per lot issued by an IOC-approved lab (ONH in Tunisia).
- A sealed reference sample kept as the contractual basis in case of a dispute on arrival.
- The lot number carried across the invoice, packing list and COA (documentary consistency).
- Depending on the market, a specific bulletin format (some countries impose their own).
Per-lot analysis is the best safeguard against quality disputes. See the reading a COA guide.
Polyphenols & EFSA health claim
Beyond category, polyphenols are a strong commercial argument. The EU health claim (Reg. 432/2012) "olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress" requires ≥ 250 mg/kg of hydroxytyrosol and derivatives. The Tunisian Chetoui variety often exceeds this threshold. Ask the lab for this measurement if you're targeting this argument. See the polyphenols & EFSA guide.
Where to find the list of approved laboratories?
We do not publish a named list (it changes and must remain official). Refer to the up-to-date authoritative sources:
- The official list of approved laboratories published by the IOC.
- In Tunisia, the ONH, the reference body for per-lot export analysis.
- Your buyer may impose a specific lab or bulletin format: confirm it upfront.
Always check that the lab is approved at the time of analysis.
Receive the "Reading a COA" guide
Our guide explains every COA parameter, recalls the exact IOC/EU thresholds and provides a lot-by-lot verification checklist to avoid any hold-up or dispute on arrival.
Receive the guide by email » (email capture → Brevo follow-up). Also try the COA quality classifier.
FAQ — IOC-approved labs & COA
What is an IOC-approved laboratory?
A laboratory whose methods and results are recognised as reliable and comparable internationally by the International Olive Council. A COA issued by such a lab is accepted by buyers and customs worldwide.
Who performs the analysis in Tunisia?
The National Oil Office (ONH) is the reference body: the per-lot ONH analysis is a mandatory step in the Tunisian export procedure.
What is a COA?
A certificate of analysis attesting the oil's category (acidity, peroxide, K232/K270, ΔK, sometimes polyphenols and panel). It must be issued per lot by an IOC-approved laboratory to be valid for export.
What are the thresholds for an extra virgin oil?
Free acidity ≤ 0.80%, peroxide value ≤ 20, K232 ≤ 2.50, K270 ≤ 0.22, ΔK ≤ 0.01, and on the IOC sensory panel a defect median = 0 with fruitiness > 0. Exact thresholds; version in force.
What's the difference between extra virgin and virgin?
Extra virgin has acidity ≤ 0.80% and no sensory defect; virgin tolerates acidity ≤ 2.0% and a defect median ≤ 3.5. Beyond that, it's lampante, not marketable as is.
What do K232 and K270 mean?
They are UV absorbances measuring oxidation (and, for K270, the presence of refined oil). Extra virgin thresholds: K232 ≤ 2.50 and K270 ≤ 0.22. K232 is required on the EU side.
Why a per-lot analysis?
Because oil quality varies from one lot to the next (harvest, milling, storage). A per-lot COA guarantees that the shipped lot matches the announced category, not another one.
What is the reference sample?
A sealed sample of the lot, kept as the contractual basis in case of a dispute on arrival: the received oil is compared to this sample and to the COA. It's an effective safeguard against challenges.
Do polyphenols appear on the COA?
They are optional but often requested: the EFSA health claim requires ≥ 250 mg/kg of hydroxytyrosol and derivatives (EU Reg. 432/2012). The Tunisian Chetoui often exceeds this threshold. Ask for this measurement if you're targeting this argument.
Is a COA from a non-IOC-approved lab valid?
It risks being rejected by the buyer or customs. For export, require a COA from an IOC-approved laboratory (ONH in Tunisia). Some markets additionally impose a specific bulletin format.
Where can I find the list of approved laboratories?
Consult the official IOC list and, in Tunisia, the ONH. We don't publish a named list because it changes; check that the lab is approved at the time of analysis.
Can these thresholds change?
The values cited are exact per the IOC/T.15/NC standard and EU regulation, but the IOC revises its standard periodically. The version in force is before any contractual commitment.
Take action
You know what a COA must contain, why it must come from an IOC-approved lab and how to read it.
"Reading a COA" guide (email) » · Quality & process » · Polyphenols & EFSA »
COA quality classifier » — enter your values, get the category.
Request a free quote — dated quotation with a per-lot COA from an IOC-approved lab. Drawer pre-filled "Quality & COA".
July 2026 data, thresholds per IOC/T.15/NC and EU regulation, version in force to be re-checked before commitment.
- Olive oil ports & sea routes: transit times | Zitouna
- Olive oil trade shows: SIAL, Gulfood, Anuga calendar
- Olive oil importers directory: method | Zitouna