NABL Accreditations: A Complete Guide to National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories
In a world where precision, reliability, and trust define business success, NABL accreditations have become the gold standard for laboratories across India. Whether you're a testing laboratory, calibration facility, medical diagnostic centre, or proficiency testing provider, obtaining NABL accreditation signals that your operations meet internationally recognised benchmarks of quality and competence.
At Quality Solutions, we work closely with organisations navigating the accreditation landscape, and we understand how transformative NABL accreditation can be — not just as a credential, but as a strategic business advantage.
This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about NABL accreditations: what they are, why they matter, how the process works, and how your organisation can prepare for success.
What Is NABL Accreditation?
NABL stands for the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. It is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI) and operates under the aegis of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India.
NABL accreditations are formal recognition granted to laboratories that have demonstrated technical competence and a robust quality management system as per international standards — primarily ISO/IEC 17025 for testing and calibration laboratories and ISO 15189 for medical laboratories.
NABL is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), which means that test reports and calibration certificates issued by NABL-accredited laboratories are accepted in over 100 countries. This global recognition is one of the most compelling reasons organisations pursue NABL accreditations.
Types of NABL Accreditations
NABL offers accreditation across a wide spectrum of laboratory disciplines. Understanding the different types helps organisations identify which accreditation pathway aligns with their scope of work.
1. Testing Laboratory Accreditation
This is the most widely sought form of NABL accreditation. Testing laboratories engaged in chemical testing, mechanical testing, biological testing, environmental testing, electrical testing, and more can apply under this category. The governing standard is ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
2. Calibration Laboratory Accreditation
Calibration laboratories that measure instruments and equipment to traceable standards also seek NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017. NABL-accredited calibration labs provide certificates that are internationally recognised — critical for industries where precision is non-negotiable.
3. Medical Laboratory Accreditation
Medical and clinical laboratories, pathology labs, and diagnostic centres pursue accreditation under ISO 15189:2012, which is tailored to the specific requirements of medical testing. NABL accreditation for medical labs enhances patient safety and confidence in diagnostic results.
4. Proficiency Testing Provider (PTP) Accreditation
Proficiency Testing Providers that conduct inter-laboratory comparisons can obtain NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17043. This is an emerging and increasingly important segment as regulatory bodies demand verified proficiency data.
5. Reference Material Producer (RMP) Accreditation
Laboratories that produce certified reference materials can seek NABL accreditation under ISO 17034, ensuring the traceability and reliability of reference materials used across the industry.
Why NABL Accreditation Matters
The significance of NABL accreditations extends far beyond a certificate on the wall. Here's why laboratories, businesses, and regulatory bodies place such high value on this recognition:
Global Recognition Through ILAC MRA
Because NABL is a signatory member of ILAC MRA, test reports issued by NABL-accredited labs are accepted internationally. This eliminates the need for re-testing when exporting products, reducing cost and time-to-market significantly.
Regulatory and Legal Compliance
Several Indian regulatory bodies — including the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) — mandate NABL accreditation for laboratories involved in product testing and environmental monitoring.
Enhanced Business Credibility
Organisations holding NABL accreditations position themselves as technically superior and trustworthy partners. Clients — especially multinational corporations and government agencies — prefer working with NABL-accredited laboratories as it reduces their own quality risk.
Improved Internal Quality Systems
The journey to NABL accreditation forces laboratories to rigorously evaluate and improve their internal processes, equipment, personnel competency, and documentation practices. The result is a more efficient, reliable, and accountable operation.
Competitive Differentiation
In increasingly competitive markets, NABL accreditations provide a clear differentiator. Whether bidding for government contracts, securing third-party testing empanelment, or attracting large industrial clients, NABL-accredited labs consistently gain an edge.
The NABL Accreditation Process: Step by Step
One of the most common questions Quality Solutions receives from clients is: "How do we actually get NABL accredited?" Here is a structured breakdown of the process:
Step 1: Self-Assessment and Gap Analysis
Before applying, laboratories must conduct a thorough internal review against the requirements of the relevant standard (ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 15189). A gap analysis identifies areas needing improvement — from document control to equipment calibration to personnel training.
At Quality Solutions, we specialise in conducting detailed gap analyses to give laboratories a realistic picture of their readiness and a clear action plan.
Step 2: Document Preparation and Quality System Development
NABL accreditation requires comprehensive documentation, including a Quality Manual, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, calibration records, method validation reports, and personnel qualification records.
Documentation must align precisely with the standard's requirements. Incomplete or inconsistent documentation is one of the leading reasons for delays in NABL assessments.
Step 3: Online Application Submission
Laboratories submit their application through the NABL online portal (nabl-india.org). The application includes details on scope of accreditation, laboratory infrastructure, key personnel, and quality management systems.
NABL charges application fees based on the type and scope of accreditation. After submission, NABL reviews the application for completeness.
Step 4: Desktop Review
NABL's technical experts conduct a desktop review of the submitted documents. If deficiencies are found, laboratories are given the opportunity to respond and provide corrections before proceeding to the on-site assessment stage.
Step 5: On-Site Assessment
A team of NABL-appointed technical assessors — industry experts aligned with the laboratory's field of work — conducts an on-site assessment. This involves:
Reviewing quality management system implementation
Verifying equipment calibration and maintenance records
Observing technical demonstrations (witnessing tests or calibrations)
Interviewing laboratory personnel
Examining inter-laboratory comparison and proficiency testing participation records
The assessment team issues a report highlighting conformities and any non-conformities observed.
Step 6: Corrective Actions and Closure
If non-conformities are identified, the laboratory must submit a corrective action plan with supporting evidence within the stipulated timeframe. NABL assesses whether the corrective actions adequately address the root causes.
Step 7: Grant of Accreditation
Once NABL is satisfied with the corrective actions and all requirements are met, accreditation is formally granted. The laboratory receives a NABL certificate along with a Schedule of Accreditation specifying the exact scope — including the tests, calibrations, or examinations for which the lab is accredited, along with relevant standards and ranges.
NABL accreditations are typically valid for two years, after which a reassessment is required.
Maintaining NABL Accreditation: Key Obligations
Receiving accreditation is a milestone — maintaining it is an ongoing commitment. NABL-accredited laboratories are required to:
Participate in proficiency testing programmes (PTPs) at defined intervals
Undergo surveillance assessments between accreditation cycles
Report significant changes in scope, infrastructure, key personnel, or quality systems to NABL promptly
Maintain continuous compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 15189 requirements
Renew accreditation before expiry through a reassessment process
Failure to meet these obligations can result in suspension or withdrawal of NABL accreditation — a reputational and business risk that laboratories must actively manage.
Common Challenges in Achieving NABL Accreditation
Based on our extensive experience at Quality Solutions, we have identified several recurring challenges that laboratories face on the path to NABL accreditation:
1. Incomplete or Poorly Structured Documentation: Many laboratories underestimate the depth of documentation required. The Quality Manual and SOPs must be living documents — not just templates downloaded from the internet.
2. Gaps in Equipment Traceability: Calibration records must demonstrate an unbroken chain of traceability to national or international measurement standards. Any gap here is a critical non-conformity.
3. Method Validation Deficiencies: Laboratories must validate or verify all test and calibration methods they use. This requires planned experiments, data analysis, and proper documentation — an area where many labs need guidance.
4. Personnel Competency Records: Every individual performing tests or calibrations must have documented evidence of their qualifications, training, and ongoing competency evaluation.
5. Inadequate Internal Audit Programme: NABL assessors look closely at the internal audit system. Superficial audits that fail to identify real problems are a red flag for assessors.
Quality Solutions provides hands-on support in each of these areas, helping laboratories move from readiness to accreditation with confidence.
How Quality Solutions Can Help You Achieve NABL Accreditation
At Quality Solutions, we are committed to making NABL accreditations accessible, achievable, and sustainable for laboratories of all sizes and disciplines. Our services include:
Gap Analysis and Readiness Assessment against ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 15189
Quality System Documentation Development — Quality Manuals, SOPs, forms, and records
Method Validation and Uncertainty of Measurement Support
Internal Auditor Training and mock audit facilitation
On-site Implementation Support and personnel training
Pre-assessment Reviews to identify and close gaps before the official NABL assessment
Post-accreditation Maintenance Support to help you stay compliant and prepared for reassessments
Our team of experienced quality consultants brings deep domain knowledge across testing, calibration, and medical laboratory sectors. We don't just help you get accredited — we help you build a quality culture that sustains excellence long after the certificate is in hand.
Conclusion
NABL accreditations represent more than compliance — they represent a laboratory's commitment to excellence, accuracy, and international-level quality. In an era where data integrity and technical reliability are under greater scrutiny than ever, NABL accreditation is a powerful statement to clients, regulators, and the market at large.
Whether you are embarking on your first NABL accreditation journey or looking to expand your existing scope, Quality Solutions is your trusted partner every step of the way. With our expert guidance, structured approach, and unwavering support, achieving and maintaining NABL accreditation becomes a manageable, rewarding process.
Ready to get started? Contact Quality Solutions today and take the first step toward building a laboratory that the world can trust.
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