National Accreditation Board for Laboratories (NABL Accreditation)
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) is an autonomous body under the aegis
Key Takeaways
- The Government of India authorizes NABL as the sole accreditation body for testing and calibration laboratories, assessing quality based on ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
- NABL accreditation provides formal recognition of competent laboratories, enhancing customer confidence and satisfaction to potentially increase business opportunities.
- Laboratories gain significant time and cost savings by reducing or eliminating the need for re-testing products.
- Accreditation improves operational control and provides critical feedback on whether laboratories maintain sound Quality Assurance Systems and technical competence.
- Medical laboratories covering fields like clinical biochemistry, pathology, haematology, microbiology, and genetics can seek formal NABL accreditation.
Table of Contents
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) is an autonomous body under the aegis of Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, and is registered under the Societies Act. NABL has been established with the objective to provide Government, Industry and Society in general with a scheme for third-party assessment of the quality and technical competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Government of India has authorized NABL as the sole accreditation body for Testing and Calibration laboratories.
In order to achieve this objective, NABL provides laboratory accreditation services to laboratories that are performing tests / calibrations in accordance with NABL criteria based on internationally accepted standard for laboratory accreditation ISO/IEC 17025. These services are offered in a non-discriminatory manner and are accessible to all testing and calibration laboratories in India and abroad, regardless of their ownership, legal status, size and degree of independence.
laboratory accreditation
The concept of Laboratory Accreditation was developed to provide a means for third-party certification of the competence of laboratories to perform specific type(s) of testing and calibration.
Laboratory Accreditation provides formal recognition of competent laboratories, thus providing a ready means for customers to find reliable testing and calibration services in order to meet their demands.
Laboratory Accreditation enhances customer confidence in accepting testing / calibration reports issued by accredited laboratories. The globalization of Indian economy and the liberalization policies initiated by the Government in reducing trade barriers and providing greater thrust to exports makes it imperative for Accredited Laboratories to be at international level of competence.
Why is laboratory accreditation required?
Laboratory Accreditation provides formal recognition of competent laboratories, thus providing a ready means for customers to find reliable testing and calibration services in order to meet their demands.
Laboratory Accreditation enhances customer confidence in accepting testing / calibration reports issued by accredited laboratories. Society also needs to know the technically competent laboratory in fields such as Medical, Forensic, Food Testing etc.
The globalization of Indian economy and the liberalization policies initiated by the Government in reducing trade barriers and providing greater thrust to exports makes it imperative for Accredited Laboratories to be at international level of competence.
What are benefits of accreditation?
Potential increase in business due to enhanced customer confidence and satisfaction. Savings in terms of time and money due to reduction or elimination of the need for re-testing of products.
Better control of laboratory operations and feedback to laboratories as to whether they have sound Quality Assurance System and are technically competent. Increase of confidence in Testing / Calibration data and personnel performing work.Customers can search and identify the laboratories accredited by NABL for their specific requirements from the directory of Accredited Laboratories. Users of accredited laboratories will enjoy greater access for their products, in both domestic and international markets, when tested by accredited laboratories.
What types of laboratories can seek accreditation?
The laboratories should be legally identifiable & appropriately registered. They can be a part of a big organization or an independent entity. NABL can provide accreditation to: Laboratories undertaking any sort of testing or calibration in the specified fields. Private or government laboratories. Small operations to large multi-field laboratories. Site facilities, temporary field operations and mobile laboratories.
Which fields of testing and calibration are covered by NABL?
NABL Accreditation is currently given in the following fields:
TESTING LABORATORIES
CALIBRATION LABORATORIES
MEDICAL LABORATORIES
- Biological Electro-Technical Clinical Biochemistry
- Chemical Mechanical Clinical Pathology
- Electrical Fluid Flow Haematology and
- Electronics Thermal & Optical Immunohaematology
- Fluid-Flow Radiological Microbiology and Serology
- Mechanical Histopathology
- Non-Destructive Cytopathology
- Photometry Genetics
- Radiological Nuclear Medicine (in-vitro tests only)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is NABL and what role does it serve?+
NABL is an autonomous body under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, registered under the Societies Act. The Government of India has authorized NABL as the sole accreditation body for testing and calibration laboratories. It provides third-party assessment of quality and technical competence based on the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
What are the primary business benefits of getting NABL accreditation?+
Benefits include a potential increase in business due to enhanced customer confidence and satisfaction. Laboratories achieve savings in time and money by reducing or eliminating the need for re-testing. Additionally, accreditation provides better operational control, feedback on Quality Assurance Systems, and listing in the directory of Accredited Laboratories for customer searches.
What types of laboratories are eligible to seek NABL accreditation?+
Laboratories must be legally identifiable and appropriately registered to seek accreditation. They can operate independently or as part of a larger organization. Eligible entities include private or government laboratories, small operations, large multi-field laboratories, site facilities, temporary field operations, and mobile laboratories undertaking testing or calibration in specified fields.
Which medical laboratory disciplines can achieve NABL accreditation?+
NABL provides accreditation across multiple medical laboratory disciplines. These include Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Pathology, Haematology and Immunohaematology, Microbiology and Serology, Histopathology, Cytopathology, and Genetics. Accreditation is also available for Nuclear Medicine laboratories, specifically for in-vitro tests, ensuring formal third-party recognition of their technical competence.
Why is third-party laboratory accreditation required for testing facilities?+
Laboratory accreditation provides formal recognition of competent laboratories, offering customers a reliable means to meet testing demands while enhancing confidence in issued reports. Society requires verified competence in fields such as medical, forensic, and food testing. Furthermore, economic globalization and export policies make international levels of competence imperative for accredited laboratories.
Written by
I&D Team
Healthcare Consulting Team
The I&D Hospital Solution team helps hospitals across India with empanelment, NABH accreditation, TPA tie-ups, hospital setup and growth consulting.