What is NABL Accreditation and Certification

The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) is an autonomous body in India that operates under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. NABL's primary objective is to establish a robust system for assessing the technical competence and quality management systems of testing and calibration laboratories.

NABL provides accreditation to laboratories across various disciplines, including mechanical, chemical, biological, electrical, and medical. The accreditation process involves a thorough evaluation of a laboratory's technical capabilities, quality management systems, and compliance with internationally recognized standards, such as ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

By granting accreditation, NABL recognizes a laboratory's adherence to stringent quality standards and its ability to deliver accurate and reliable testing and calibration results. This recognition enhances the credibility of accredited laboratories and instills confidence in their customers, stakeholders, and regulatory authorities.

NABL accreditation is obtained through a comprehensive assessment process, which includes document review, on-site evaluations, proficiency testing, and inter-laboratory comparisons. The accreditation is valid for a specified period, and laboratories are required to undergo regular surveillance assessments to maintain their accreditation status.

The NABL accreditation process is guided by specific guidelines and requirements set forth by NABL. These guidelines outline the criteria, procedures, and documentation needed for accreditation. They provide laboratories with a roadmap to meet the necessary standards and implement robust quality management systems.

To navigate the accreditation process effectively, laboratories often seek the assistance of NABL consultants. NABL consultants are experts who provide guidance, support, and specialized knowledge to laboratories seeking accreditation. They assist in preparing the necessary documentation, implementing quality management systems, and ensuring compliance with NABL guidelines.

Once a laboratory achieves NABL accreditation, it is issued an accreditation certificate. This certificate serves as evidence of the laboratory's competence and compliance with international standards. In addition to the accreditation certificate, NABL-accredited calibration laboratories also issue calibration certificates. These certificates validate that the instrument or equipment has undergone calibration according to defined standards and procedures, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

Overall, NABL plays a vital role in ensuring the quality and competence of testing and calibration laboratories in India. Its accreditation process and certification offer numerous benefits, including improved laboratory performance, enhanced customer confidence, and acceptance of results on a national and international level.

NABL Test Accreditation 

Accreditation is the attestation by third party with the conformity assessment body convincing the formal demonstration of its ability to hold out specific conformity assessment task. Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) does the testing which includes medical/standardisation Laboratory, Proficiency Testing supplier, Certified Reference Material Producer.

The liberalization of trade and industry policies of Government of India has created consciousness among domestic trade and providing greater thrust for export. As a consequence, testing centres and laboratories have to show the capabilities acceptable at an international level of competence.

It is a method by which the body gives recognition, based on third-party assessment and as per international standards of technical competence for specific tests/ measurements.

In the same manner Proficiency testing Provider accreditation gives formal recognition of competence for organizations that provide proficiency testing. Based on the third-party assessment Reference Material Producers Accreditation gives formal recognition of competence following international standards to carry out the production of reference materials.

Scope of NABL Accreditation minimum 

The scope of NABL accreditation encompasses various fields and disciplines. Currently, NABL provides accreditation in the following areas:

1. Chemical Testing
2. Biological Testing
3. Mechanical Testing
4. Electrical Testing
5. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
6. Fluid Flow Calibration
7. Thermal Calibration
8. Mass and Volume Calibration
9. Photometry and Radiometry
10. Acoustic Calibration
11. Medical Testing (Clinical Pathology, Microbiology, Radiology, etc.)

It's important to note that depending on the specific discipline, laboratories need to apply for accreditation separately. The scope of accreditation may vary for each discipline, and laboratories are expected to comply with the relevant specific criteria set by NABL.

 

NABL's specific criteria outline the requirements, standards, and guidelines applicable to each field or discipline. These criteria provide detailed information on the technical competence, quality management systems, equipment, and methodologies necessary for accreditation in that particular discipline.

 

Therefore, laboratories seeking NABL accreditation should refer to the relevant specific criteria for their respective fields to ensure compliance with the accreditation requirements and procedures. This ensures that the laboratory's services and operations meet the necessary standards in their specific area of testing or calibration.

Scope of NABL Accreditation and maximum

1. Testing
2. Calibration
3. Medical
4. Biological
5. Photometry
6. Chemical
7. Radiological
8. Electrical
9. Electronics
10. Fluid-Flow
11. Mechanical
12. Forensic
13. Electro-Technical
14. Medical Devices
15. Thermal    
16. Optical
17. Clinical Pathology
18. Haematology &   Immunohematology
19. Microbiology & Serology
20. Histopathology
21. Cytopathology
22. Genetics

The benefits of NABL accreditation are as follows:

1. Increased Confidence: NABL accreditation provides formal recognition of a laboratory's competence and adherence to international standards. This instills confidence in the testing and calibration reports issued by the laboratory, as they are considered reliable and accurate.

2. Improved Management: The accreditation process requires laboratories to establish and maintain a technically competent and robust Quality Assurance System. This leads to better management of laboratory operations, ensuring consistency, reliability, and accuracy in testing and calibration procedures.

3. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: NABL accreditation signifies that a laboratory has met stringent quality requirements. This enhances customer satisfaction and confidence in the laboratory's services, leading to increased loyalty and potential business growth.

4. Increased Market Opportunities: NABL provides a web-based directory of authorized laboratories, allowing customers to search and identify accredited laboratories for their specific needs. Being listed in the NABL directory increases visibility and market opportunities for accredited laboratories, both domestically and internationally.

5. Access to Domestic and International Markets: Accreditation by NABL provides recognition of a laboratory's competence at a national and international level. This opens doors for laboratories to access domestic and international markets more easily, as their services are trusted and accepted.

6. Cost and Time Savings: Accreditation helps in reducing or eliminating the need for re-testing of products. By having NABL-accredited testing and calibration reports, customers can avoid unnecessary re-tests, saving both time and money.

In summary, NABL accreditation offers a range of benefits including increased confidence in laboratory reports, improved management systems, enhanced customer satisfaction, expanded market opportunities, and cost and time savings for both laboratories and customers. It is a mark of quality and competence that brings numerous advantages to accredited laboratories.