GOED Special Achievement Program

Designed for third-party laboratories that are highly accurate in the quantification of EPA and DHA in omega-3 oils.


In order to encourage testing laboratories to improve their accuracy in the quantification of EPA and DHA in omega-3 ingredient oils and omega-3 supplement products, GOED has organized a Special Achievement Program for third-party laboratories that are “highly accurate” in this quantification. The criteria that will be used to qualify laboratories is the following:

  • Quantification of EPA (as mg/g in free fatty acid equivalents): within 2% of the mean consensus value. For all results below 200 mg/g, ± 4 mg/g will be accepted.
  • Quantification of DHA (as mg/g in free fatty acid equivalents): within 2% of the mean consensus value. For all results below 200 mg/g, ± 4 mg/g will be accepted.


The results should be obtained with one of the methods recommended by GOED (GOED Fatty Acid Method, Ph.Eur. 2.4.29, USP 401, or AOCS Ce1i-07). Laboratories that have demonstrated a high accuracy in quantifying EPA and DHA for the six test samples in the last AOCS-GOED Nutraceutical Oil Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP) can apply for the title. Above criteria must be met for all six samples.

The “Special Achievement” title will be held for one year, from July 1 to June 30 the following year, during which time GOED will promote these laboratories to members and the public by including them on this page, publicizing this achievement in the GOED member newsletter and preferentially referring to these laboratories when companies ask which testing labs to use for quantification of EPA and DHA.

LPP results must be resubmitted each year to continue to be awarded this title in subsequent years.

In order to apply, send your results from the most recent AOCS-GOED Nutraceutical Oil LPP and Analyst Number (series 2 and 3 results for the six samples) to gerard@goedomega3.com by July 1 (or whenever the appeals period is closed).


Note: Manufacturers of raw materials or finished goods who participate in the LPP, rather than commercial third-party testing laboratories, may apply for the title, but only if they are willing to accept samples for testing from other companies.