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Rishabh's NABL Laboratory
NABL accreditation is a formal recognition of the technical competence of a testing, calibration or medical laboratory for a specific task following ISO/IEC 17025:2005, ISO 15189:2007 Standards. This is based on third party assessment. WTO recognizes non-acceptance of test results and measurement data as Technical Barrier to Trade (TBT). Accreditation is considered to be the first essential step towards removing such technical barriers. NABL has gone a step further and achieved the status of APLAC (Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) MRA (Mutual Recognition Arrangement) partner and signatory to ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) Arrangement based on peer evaluation by a multi-disciplinary team from APLAC. This is a major step towards mutual acceptance of test results and measurement data amongst 52 accreditation bodies representing 45 countries. NABL accredited laboratories have therefore emerged as a member of global family of accredited laboratories.
NABL accreditation has also assumed significance for equivalence of measurements for those manufacturing industries, which source their components from different countries. NABL therefore has an objective to set up a chain of accredited calibration laboratories with traceability to National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, or other International Metrology Institutions such as NIST, CISO, PTB, etc. or accredited laboratories under APLAC / ILAC.
NABL has also extended its services to Clinical and Food testing laboratories having strong relevance to the society. NABL is aimed towards providing an efficient and transparent mechanism to the laboratories and their users.
Accredited laboratories have the responsibility of satisfying the criteria of laboratory accreditation at all times, which are verified during Surveillance and Re-assessment visits by NABL. Further the accredited laboratories should prove their technical competence by satisfactory participation in recognized Proficiency Testing programmes. In conformity with ISO/IEC 17011:2004 which determines the Quality System of NABL, the accredited laboratories can be suspended or its scope of accreditation can be reduced or even withdrawn in cases of negligence and gross non-compliance of ISO/IEC 17025:2005, ISO 15189:2007 standard detected during routine or surprise Surveillance or Re-assessment.
Why 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 globalisation of Indian economy and the liberalisation 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.
Benefits of Accreditation
Formal recognition of competence of a laboratory by an Accreditation body in accordance with international criteria has many advantages:
1. Potential increase in business due to enhanced customer confidence and satisfaction.
2. Savings in terms of time and money due to reduction or elimination of the need for re-testing of products.
3. Better control of laboratory operations and feedback to laboratories as to whether they have sound Quality Assurance System and are technically competent.
4. Increase of confidence in Testing / Calibration data and personnel performing work.
National Accreditation Board of Calibration & Testing
Dept. of Science and Technology, Government of India
Reference: www.nabl-india.org/
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