NABL stands for the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. It is an autonomous body that operates under the aegis of the Quality Council of India (QCI). NABL was established in 2005 with the goal of providing third-party accreditation for testing and calibration laboratories in India.
NABL is responsible for accrediting laboratories in various fields such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, medical, and environmental. It operates based on the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025 “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories”. This standard provides a framework for the technical competence of laboratories and helps ensure that test and calibration results are reliable and accurate.
NABL accreditation is recognized by the government of India as well as various international accreditation bodies. It is also recognized by various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, food, and pharmaceuticals. NABL accreditation is mandatory for laboratories that are involved in testing and calibration activities that are required by the government, public, and private sectors.
NABL assesses the laboratory’s technical competence through on-site assessments, and also through the evaluation of the laboratory’s quality manual, test methods, and personnel qualifications. Once a laboratory is accredited, it must maintain its accreditation through regular assessments and surveillance audits.
In summary, NABL is an autonomous body that provides accreditation to testing and calibration laboratories in India, based on International standards. It helps ensure the technical competence of laboratories, the accuracy and reliability of test and calibration results, and the quality of services provided by these laboratories. NABL accreditation is mandatory for laboratories that are involved in testing and calibration activities that are required by the government, public, and private sectors.