Testing evidence
Accepted, attributable testing information, including document structure, compound breadth, dates, and public lab-facing paths.
How grades work
What a PepGrades score measures.
The score is built from a vendor's public testing, transparency, and catalog records. It does not score the compound itself or predict an individual purchase.
Scoring
The 100 points come from three parts of the vendor record.
100rubric points
Transparency and accountability
Public identity, catalog, testing, shipping, returns, terms, support, and related policy information.
Catalog integrity
Exact product matching, unresolved listing ambiguity, price and stock freshness, and traceability between listings and testing.
Shortlist threshold
A vendor needs a B and a current matching offer.
Grade B · 70 of 100
A recommendation requires observed testing, transparency, and catalog integrity, plus a current exact-basis in-stock offer. The vendor must earn at least 70 points.
Public discussion is context only and is not used in the displayed score. If catalog integrity is unavailable, the grade may use the observed 70-point core, but the vendor cannot enter a shortlist.
Missing information
How gaps are handled.
- Available
The collection found enough usable information to score the component.
- Unavailable
We could not reliably measure it. The component is removed from the calculation rather than scored as zero.
- Held or rejected
A record had an unresolved problem or failed a required rule. It does not contribute to the grade.
Shortlist roles
Three ways to compare vendors that qualify.
Each role uses the same compound, form, amount, and package size. A vendor must pass the score and catalog checks before price is considered.
Strongest evidence
Highest vendor score.
Best balance
Trust and price considered together.
Lowest qualifying price
Lowest price after the trust rules are met.