NABL Full Form: National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

NABL full form stands for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. National Accreditation Board (NABL) accredits the Testing and Calibration Laboratories. The NABL gave the Government and different industries the scope of independent evaluation. This ensures all the standards and technical skills of testing and calibration laboratories.

But do you know why the accreditation of NABL matters to medical labs? Even for the testing centers and other healthcare providers in India? Let’s find out.

Overview of NABL

NABL is a board that is a part of the Quality Council of India. NABL full form stands for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. provided the Government and Industry associations with a conformity assessment scheme. With this accreditation, they can test their technical competence. The medical laboratories, skill testing providers, and reference material producers are here.

To achieve this goal, NABL provides a vast range of laboratory accreditation services. They can perform different tests or calibrations for medical laboratories. They do this according to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 15189:2012. These services are available in a non-discriminatory manner. These are accessible to all testing and calibration laboratories in India and abroad. Ownership, legal status, size, or degree of independence do not matter here.

NABL has also added another aspect in the space of certification. It has recently launched a new program. It is based on the international standard ISO/IEC 17043: “Accreditation of PT Providers.”

Here is the Conformity Assessment based on the general requirements for Skill Testing. It strives to get the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Signatory Status. It also has international acceptability.

Role and Functions of NABL

NABL’s denote the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. The accreditation of labs improves the facilitation process for accurate and rapid diagnostics. It also recognizes the efficiency of treatment. It also reduces errors in the laboratory process. The accreditation process determines who is the best. Besides, ensuring which organization has the standard procedures to follow. They aim to improve quality and patient safety.

Accredited laboratories always receive international recognition. It proves their data and results are ideal, and people accept it even in overseas markets. Accreditation helps reduce costs for manufacturers and exporters. They must have their products or materials tested in accredited laboratories. The accreditation here reduces or eliminates the need for retesting in other countries.

Customers can search for and determine the laboratories and centers accredited by NABL. They can fulfill their specific requirements by login into the NABL website.

Users of accredited laboratories can always enjoy greater access to better products. This is applicable in both domestic and international markets.

NABL Documents also save time and money as there is no need to retest.

Services rendered by NABL

The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) plays a critical role in upholding the integrity and accuracy of testing and calibration services in India. Here’s a breakdown of the key areas where NABL provides accreditation:

• Testing Laboratories: NABL grants accreditation to testing laboratories that adhere to the stringent guidelines set forth in ISO/IEC 17025. This international standard ensures these laboratories possess the competence and impartiality necessary to deliver reliable test results.
  
• Calibration Laboratories: Similar to testing labs, NABL accredits calibration laboratories that comply with ISO/IEC 17025. Calibration ensures the accuracy of measuring instruments used in various industries, fostering trust and consistency in measurements.
  
• Medical Testing Laboratories: Recognizing the unique requirements of the healthcare sector, NABL offers accreditation based on ISO 15189. This specific standard guarantees medical testing laboratories maintain the highest quality standards in areas like pathology, clinical chemistry, and microbiology.
  
• Proficiency Testing Providers (PTP): NABL accreditation extends to Proficiency Testing Providers (PTP) as well. PTPs are organizations that design and conduct proficiency testing programs. Accreditation based on ISO/IEC 17043 ensures these programs are well-designed and effectively evaluate the competence of other laboratories.
  
• Reference Material Producers (RMP): NABL also accredits Reference Material Producers (RMP) against ISO 17034. RMPs are vital sources of certified reference materials – highly characterized substances used to calibrate instruments and validate test methods. NABL accreditation signifies the RMP’s adherence to rigorous quality standards in producing these critical materials.

NABL Accreditation Process

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL Full Form) is a Government based association that offers high-quality testing and calibration services. But the accreditation process is lengthy, and there are many steps.

• The CAB should apply on this website (www.NABL.qci.org.in) with the right application form and documents.

• The applicant should submit the determined fee details. It is present in NABL 100A with the application form.

• CAB has to take special care when they appear for accreditation.

• If there are no inadequacies in the quality manual, CAB opts for a pre-assessment visit. The lead assessor appointed by NABL performs this.

• The pre-assessment of the CAB can check non-conformities in implementing the quality system. It also assesses the degree of preparedness of the CAB for the assessment process.

• The system determines the number of assessors used in various fields. Here is the scope of accreditation and the number of key locations for visits.

• The lead assessor submits the pre-assessment report to the NABL. They also provide a copy to the CAB.

• NABL Secretariat examines the assessment report. Then a follow-up action will start them.

• CAB takes satisfactory corrective action. Then, the Accreditation committee handles examining the assessment report. They make the assessment based on the more information received from the CAB.

• The decisions NABL makes are open to CAB. As a next step, all the decisions are appealed to the CEO of NABL.

• The accreditation certificate is valid for 2 years. NABL usually conducts the annual Surveillance of the CAB.

• The accredited CAB needs a re-assessment every 2 years. The CAB has to apply 6 months before the expiry of accreditation.

Accreditation Standards

The accreditation is a third-party attestation. A conformity assessment body performs this to prove its competence. With this, they are licensed to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks. The Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) includes conformity testing. It is present in medical laboratories and Certified Reference Material producers. It includes Calibration laboratories and Skill Testing providers as well.

The accreditation body grants testing and Calibration laboratories based on ISA/IEC 17025, Skill Testing Provider (PTP) – ISO 17043, Medical Testing- ISO 15189, and Reference Material Producers (RMP) (ISO/IEC 17034.

An authoritative body recognizes technical competence. It does so for specific tests in the Laboratory accreditation procedure. There are also Skill testing providers. The accreditation recognizes the competence of the organizations that provide skill testing. Reference Material Producer is also given accreditation. It makes them competent to perform the production with proper assessment. They also follow all the international standards.

Benefits of NABL Accreditation

Accreditation provides many benefits. Accreditation enhances customers’ confidence because of the testing or calibration reports. Accredited laboratories issue those reports. Two things reduce trade barriers. One is the globalization of the Indian economy. And the second is Government’s

liberalization policies reduce trade barriers.

• International recognition

• Global market access

• Money- and time efficient

• Boosts customer confidence and brings satisfaction

• Robust quality management system

• Consistent improvements

• Better operational control

• Accurate and reliable result

• Cost reduction

• Prevent losses due to defects

Conclusion

NABL full form is National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. In India, it is popular as an autonomous body. Accreditation is given based on international standards. They provide proper accreditation to testing and calibration laboratories. It works to ensure the technical competence of different laboratories. It also checks tests’ accuracy and reliability parameters and offers quality services. Its accreditation is mandatory for laboratories. Testing and calibration activities are essential in the Government, public, and private sectors.

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