nabl

NABL, standing for the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, is India's national accreditation body for laboratories and calibration facilities. It operates as a constituent board of the Quality Council of India and its purpose is to assess and recognize the technical competence of laboratories to perform specific tests and calibrations, thereby ensuring the reliability and internationally comparable quality of results.

NABL accredits laboratories across diverse sectors, including chemical, mechanical, biological, environmental, electrical, and medical testing. Accreditation covers testing and calibration activities as well as related services in various laboratories, ensuring consistency with established standards and procedures.

The accreditation process involves an application, documentation review, on-site assessment by trained NABL assessors, and a decision by the NABL board. Accredited labs undergo periodic surveillance assessments and regular re-evaluation to maintain accreditation. Laboratories typically demonstrate competence according to ISO/IEC 17025 for testing and calibration; medical testing laboratories may follow ISO 15189 where applicable. Proficiency testing and management system requirements may be part of the assessment.

NABL is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement, enabling recognition of Indian test and calibration results in many countries. The accreditation program supports quality assurance, regulatory compliance, trade facilitation, and consumer protection. Governance is provided by a Governing Council and technical committees, with accreditation activities conducted by a team of trained assessors.