National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
About NABL
NABL is a society which provides accreditation 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. It is associated with Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Corporation (APLAC), Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)
Benefits of accreditation
NABL is a signatory to ILAC Arrangements as well as APLAC Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA), 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.
This developing system of international mutual recognition agreements between accreditation bodies has enabled accredited laboratories to achieve a form of international recognition, and allowed test data accompanying exported goods to be readily accepted on overseas markets amongst the countries which have already qualified as significant to ILAC Arrangements. This effectively reduces costs for both the exporters and the importers, as it reduces or eliminates the need for products to be re-tested in another country.
Proficiency testing
It is about assessing and determining the reliability of data that they are producing against their testing. The tool of Inter-Laboratory comparison is used to determine the proficiency of testing. All Accredited Laboratories have to successfully participate in at least one inter-laboratory comparison.
All the accredited laboratory have to follow ISO/IEC 17025 to maintain quality management system in testing and calibration.
Measurement audits are also undertaken. NABL also undertake proficiency testing programme for its accredited as well as applicant laboratories.
Training courses
NABL undertakes following courses:-
- ISO/IEC 17025 Assessor's Training Course
- ISO 15189 Assessor's Training Course
Scope of accreditation
Its scope for accreditation extends to:-
Testing Laboratories: Biological, Chemical, Electrical, Electronics, Fluid-Flow,Mechanical,Non-Destructive,Photometry, Radiological, Thermal
Calibration Laboratories: Electro-Technical, Mechanical, Fluid Flow, Thermal & Optical, Radiological,
Medical Laboratories: Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Pathology, Haematology and Immuno-haematology, Microbiology and Serology, Histopathology, Cytopathology, Genetics, Nuclear Medicine (in-vitro tests only). ALL MAY NOT BE CORRECT.