Being a constituent of the Board Of Quality Council of India, the NABL was established with the sole aim of providing every testing facility and industrial association with a third-party assessment. NABL accredited labs are tested for quality and proficiency in their testing in accordance with international quality standards.

 India’s liberalization of trade and services has resulted in greater consciousness on quality control in various aspects of trade and exports. Therefore, all industries and manufacturers must attest or demonstrate their operations and prove they are on par with the international standards and competence level, and NABL gives them formal recognition.

Accreditation is a formal recognition given to a body that provides quality services. NABL provides accreditations to Conformity Assessment Bodies or CABs. Medical labs, Calibration labs, Proficiency testing providers, Reference Material Providers, etc., are some examples of Conformity Assessments bodies. 

Accreditation by NABL is done through various tests and measurements, result from comparisons, assessments by a third party, and checking whether the quality followed complies with international standards. 

Different Types of Accreditation: 

  1. Laboratory Accreditation: This type of accreditation gives formal recognition to the technical standards of the facility. The recognition can be for specific tests or measurements through third-party assessments and in compliance with specific criteria. 
  2. Proficiency Testing Provider Accreditation: This legally recognizes all facilities and manufacturers that provide proficiency testing. 
  3. Reference Material Producers: It recognizes all bodies that carry out the reference materials’ production.

Accreditation Fields And Eligibility:

  1. Testing Laboratories: Any testing laboratory that deals with biological, physical, chemical, software, electrical, mechanical, software, or even forensic, non-destructive, and photometric can opt for accreditation. 
  2. Calibration Laboratories: Accreditation is also available for different calibration laboratories that include mechanical, electronic, fluid flow, medical or thermal. 
  3. Medical Laboratories: Every medical facility that deals with research in various fields like biochemistry and pathology at the clinical level, microbiology, molecular testing, cytogenetics, histopathology, etc., can apply.
  4. Medical Assessment Bodies: Conforming bodies that deal with imaging, nuclear medicine, and other forms of imaging processes come under the scope of accreditation. 
  5. Proficiency Testing: All proficiency testing providers with different testing equipment, calibration machines, medical equipment, and inspection facilities are eligible for accreditation. 

All schemes are granted accreditation based on these ISO standards.

  • ISO/IEC 17025 for testing laboratories. 
  • ISO 15189 for various medical facilities.
  • ISO 17034 for different reference material and proficiency testing equipment or providers.
  • ISO/IEC 17025 for calibration equipment or laboratories. 

Benefits Of Accreditation:

  1. Increased faith and confidence in various reports or results issued by accredited facilities
  2. Increases control of various manufacturers and also provides general feedback.
  3. Increased customer confidence and offers a boost in sales and business.
  4. Increases brand value and customer satisfaction
  5. NABL accredited labs have greater access to various domestic and foreign products, not usually available for non-certified facilities. 
  6. Lesser needs of retesting and reduction of costs due to increased confidence in accredited bodies.
  7. Since every group is certified for a specific purpose, anyone can search for any accredited facility easily for any particular requirement.
  8. Ensures the safety and well-being of the general public
  9. Ensures there are minimal harmful effects on the environment, which is of utmost importance.

How the accreditation bodies help facilities for improved effectiveness: 

  1. It helps compare results with other facilities to ensure credibility and standard.
  2. Monitors the long term efficiency and performance of a facility
  3. Any miscalculation or drawbacks in tests and measurement are improved immediately, and any setbacks are identified and corrective measures implemented. 
  4. Provides special education and training to the staff and technicians
  5. Methods are evaluated for accuracy and competence. 
  6. Uncertainty in measurements is looked into and calculated. 
  7. The accreditation groups help regulate a facility’s overall risk managing factors, enabling it to take calculated risks. 
  8. Helps build relationships with customers, industrial heads, and government bodies for increased growth 
  9. Provides a formal recognition to both domestic and foreign groups for testing, calibration and measurement- this helps in having increased facilities at disposal and improved acceptance of goods and testing services across the country and abroad.

Validity Of Accreditation: 

Every accreditation is valid for up to two years, after which the NABL will conduct a regular survey every year. Accreditation is not a single-time certification, and the CAB can apply for renewal before six months from the time of expiry of the certificate. 

The time of approval of accreditation will depend upon the readiness of the CAB. Well prepared and organized CABs that show quick responses to any deficiencies receive certification sooner. The NABL accreditation group has trained staff and experts that allow CABs to complete their accreditation on time.