♦What is NABL

NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) is the only laboratory accreditation body in India, engaged in accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories based on third party assessment according to International Standard ISO/IEC: 17025.

NABL maintains its linkages with the international bodies like International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) and Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (APLAC). NABL is a full member of both ILAC and APLAC. NABL is a signatory to ILAC as well as APLAC Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA), which is based on mutual evaluation and acceptance of other MRA Partner laboratory accreditation systems. Such international arrangements facilitate acceptance of test / calibration results between countries to which MRA partners represent.

♦What is ISO/IEC: 17025

ISO/IEC: 17025 is an international standard i.e. “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.” It contains all of the requirements that testing and calibration laboratories have to meet if they wish to demonstrate that they operate a quality system, are technically competent, and are able to generate technically valid results. It specifies the requirements for sound management as well as the requirements for technical competence for the type of tests and/or calibrations the laboratory undertakes. Accreditation bodies that recognize the competence of testing and calibration laboratories use this International Standard as the basis for their accreditation.

♦Why use an accredited laboratory...?

Laboratory accreditation provides a means of evaluating the competence of laboratories to perform specific types of testing, measurement ad calibration. It also provides feedback to laboratories as to whether they are performing their work in accordance with international criteria for technical competence. Manufacturing organizations may also use laboratory accreditation to enhance the testing of their products by their own in-house laboratories.

Very importantly, accreditation provides formal recognition of competent laboratories, thus providing a ready means for customers to find reliable testing and calibration services to meet their needs

♦How is NABL accreditation different from ISO 9000 certification...?

ISO 9000 Certification is on Quality System Management only whereas the NABL Accreditation provides formal recognition of technical competence of the laboratories, thus providing a ready means for customers to find reliable testing and calibration services in order to meet their demands as well as the Quality system. Accreditation is a higher level activity than system certification.

Laboratories can be checked and certified for their compliance to international management system standards such as ISO 9000. This involves the auditing of an organization’s quality management system. Although this will give you confidence of the laboratory’s quality system, it tells you nothing about its technical competence or its ability to provide reliable and accurate test data that will be accepted by your customers and trading partners.

Proper technical evaluation requires the use of technical experts who can assess the laboratory against internationally accepted criteria. These criteria are embraced globally in a document called ISO/IEC 17025. Accreditation bodies may also apply additional technical requirements for evaluating a laboratory, as per requirements of different technical fields.

Laboratory accreditation against the standard ISO/IEC 17025 does, however also covers the quality management elements of ISO 9000. So laboratory accreditation, which is based on ISO/IEC 17025 is a measure of both technical competence and quality management and is the most appropriate process rather than quality ISO-9000 certification.

♦What is APLAC and what is the role of APLAC?

Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) groups accreditation bodies in the Asia Pacific region responsible for accrediting calibration, testing and inspection facilities. APLAC’s principle objectives are to foster the development of competent laboratories and inspection bodies in member economies, to harmonize accreditation practices in the region and with regions, and to facilitate mutual recognition of accredited test, measurements and inspection results through the APLAC multilateral Mutual Recognition arrangement (MRA). This reduces the need for re-testing of products and therefore saves time and money. APLAC has active programs for the development of technical guidance documents, inter-laboratory comparisons (proficiency testing), and for training of laboratory assessors.

♦What is ILAC and what is the role of ILAC?

International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) is the world’s principal international forum for the development of laboratory accreditation practices and procedures, the promotion of laboratory accreditation as a trade facilitation tool, the assistance of developing accreditation systems and the recognition of competent test facilities around the globe. ILAC is an international cooperation between various laboratory accreditation schemes throughout the world.

♦What is the “Scope of Accreditation”…?

The list of specific tests, types of tests or calibrations for which a laboratory is found competent is listed in scope of accreditation along with details like test methods, ranges, uncertainties etc. The final content of the scope is recommended by the assessors and approved by NABL. It is very important to note that scope don’t always include all the laboratory’s capabilities. This is due either to the laboratory’s request to limit the scope, or because the assessors have not been able to affirm the laboratory’s competency in all areas for which the laboratory was seeking accreditation. Capabilities that are not listed on the scope of accreditation are not covered by the laboratory’s NABL accreditation