Finnrick Methodology
Testing peptides and scoring vendors for safer choices
Transparent by design, the Finnrick methodology cross-references multiple lab tests to produce clear ratings, empowering the public to make more informed decisions.
Finnrick is dedicated to making sovereign health safer by providing independent testing of peptides, nootropics, steroids, and other health and wellness compounds. We help buyers confirm the safety and quality of products they've sourced through transparent testing.
Our methodology is designed to provide an up-to-date view of the safety of the products and vendors currently available on the market, constantly evolving to ensure our published ratings are easy to understand and an accurate picture of the risk the public is exposed to.
Individual product samples (typically vials of lyophilized peptide powder) are sent to commercial labs for testing. Purity and quantity metrics and batch identification details are used to score the tests. We then use these scores to calculate a Finnrick Rating for each product/vendor pair.
Samples Collection
Finnrick sources samples directly from vendors, across a selection of products, to ensure authenticity and proper chain of custody.
We are also developing the capability to allow the public to mail in their own samples for testing. This feature enables individuals to verify the safety of products they've already purchased.
Once collected by Finnrick, the samples are sent for testing to trusted third-party labs.
Samples Testing
Finnrick requests High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) as the primary analytical method for all samples, to measure:
- Purity: presence of the expected compound, and quantification of any contaminants or unexpected substances. 100% is ideal, and 98% is widely considered the minimum acceptable purity.
- Quantity: actual amount of compound present in the container compared to the vendor's claim, expressed in % of divergence of the tested value vs. the claim. +/-5% is considered good.
Vendor Claims (Quantity)
Finnrick attempts to document vendor claims about quantity:
- Label claim: stated quantity printed on the product container itself, available for all samples.
- Batch claim: optionally, additional claims about actual filled quantity, specific to the identified batch to which this sample belongs, sometimes communicated by the vendor on:
- product page on the vendor's web site
- order confirmation emails
- shipment contents and packaging
- information printed on the vial itself
Full and accurate information printed on the container itself is ideal, readily available at the time of usage. Separate materials such as product details cards included in a shipment are acceptable. Some vendors make commendable efforts to display such claims very clearly during purchase, but showing claims only on the web site or in order confirmation emails is not recommended.
While vendor testing certificates are taken into account to understand batch claims, they are not scored as part of the tests listed for a vendor and product, and do not contribute to Finnrick Ratings.
Calculating Test Scores
Each tested sample receives a score between 0 (completely failed) and 10 (perfect), based on three components:
1. Purity Component (0-4 points)
The purity score is calculated using a sliding scale based on precise purity percentages:
| Purity Threshold | Points |
|---|---|
| 99.9% | 4 |
| 99.5% | 3 to 4 |
| 99.0% | 2 to 3 |
| 98.0% | 1 to 2 |
| below 98% | 0 to 1 |
For purity values between thresholds, the component is interpolated linearly. For example, a purity of 99.25% would receive a purity component of 2.5 points.
2. Quantity Accuracy Component (0-4 points)
The quantity accuracy component is based on the absolute divergence from the claimed amount:
| Quantity Divergence Threshold | Points |
|---|---|
| +/-5% | 4 |
| +/-8% | 3 to 4 |
| +/-12% | 2 to 3 |
| +/-20% | 1 to 2 |
| above +/-20% | 0 to 1 |
For divergence values between thresholds, the score is interpolated linearly. For example, a divergence of 10% would receive a quantity accuracy component of 2.5 points.
3. Batch Information Component (0-2 points)
This component evaluates the presence and quality of batch identification information, and if present, the way in which batch claims are presented.
If only a label claim is present
- 2 points if the batch identifier is affixed on the product container (i.e. printed on the label)
- 1 point if the batch identifier is provided on a separate support alongside the container (i.e. product details cards inside the shipment)
- no points if the batch identifier is only communicated on the web site at the time of purchase, or no batch identifier is present at all
If both a label and package claim are present
The total of:
- Batch identifier:
- 1 point if the batch identifier is affixed on the product container (i.e. printed on the label)
- 0.5 point if the batch identifier is provided on a separate support alongside the container (i.e. product details cards inside the shipment)
- no points if the batch identifier is only communicated on the web site at the time of purchase, or no batch identifier is present at all
- Batch claim communication:
- 1 point if the batch claim is affixed on the product container (i.e. printed on the label)
- 0.5 point if the batch claim is provided on a separate support alongside the container (i.e. product details cards inside the shipment)
- no points if the batch claim is only communicated on the web site at the time of purchase
Test Scores Updates
In principle, test scores are not expected to change once issued.
However, Finnrick actively pursues improvements to our methodology, and when such evolutions take place, we will re-calculate test scores based on the new rules. Updates to the methodology will be made public on this page.
Also, if an error is detected, we will recalculate the test score and issue a correction notice.
Calculating Finnrick Ratings
The rating system uses three key metrics derived from the test scores for this product/vendor pair:
- The average score
- The minimum score
- The number of tests conducted
Each rating level has thresholds for each of these three metrics. A product/vendor pair must meet or exceed ALL three thresholds to qualify for a particular rating.
| Rating | Avg | Min | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 2 | |
| 6 | 5 | 2 | |
| 5 | 4 | 2 | |
| 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| 0 | 0 | 2 |
For 6 tests or below, the vendor/product rating will be marked as "tentative", showing Finnrick has a lower confidence, to acknowledge that just a few more results might affect it significantly.
Below 2 tests, the vendor/product pair will be issued an X - Unrated rating.
Rating Updates
Finnrick Ratings are automatically recalculated and updated whenever new test results are received for a particular product/vendor pair. This ensures that ratings reflect the most current information available.
Our Commitment to Safety and Transparency
Finnrick is committed to complete transparency in our testing process and scoring and rating methodology. We publish all test results, to provide the public with comprehensive information for making informed purchasing decisions.
We will continue to improve this methodology, to provide the most accurate and actionable view of the safety of the products we test.
For questions about our methodology or to suggest improvements, please contact our testing team.
Last updated: 9 May 2025: clarified our policy on data changes and the evolution of the methodology. 30 April 2025: fixed typo in purity component example rating. 21 March 2025: adjusted minimum test score from 5 to 6 for a rating of A.