NABL Accreditation

What is the benefit of NABL Accreditation ?

Formal recognition of competence of a conformity assessment body by NABL in accordance with international standard has many advantages;

International recognition/ equivalence,

Access to Global market,

Time and money efficient,

Enhanced customer confidence and satisfaction,

Robust Quality Management System,

Continual improvements,

Better operational control,

Assurance of accurate and reliable results,

Cost Reduction,

Prevent loss due to defects

What is accreditation…?

Accreditation is the third party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying the formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment task.

Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) is a body which includes Testing including medical Laboratory, Calibration Laboratory, Proficiency Testing Provider, Certified Reference Material Producer.

The liberalization of trade and industry policies of the Government of India has created quality consciousness in domestic trade and provided greater thrust for export.

As a consequence testing centres and laboratories have to demonstrably operate at an internationally acceptable level of competence. Laboratory accreditation is a procedure by which an authoritative body gives formal recognition of technical competence for specific tests/ measurements, based on third party assessment and following international standards.

Similarly, Proficiency testing Provider accreditation gives formal recognition of competence for organizations that provide proficiency testing.

Reference Material Producers Accreditation gives formal recognition of competence to carry out the production of reference materials based on third party assessment and following international standards.

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 CABs, thus providing a ready means for customers to find reliable testing (including Medical), calibration, PTP and RMP 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 CAB against internationally accepted criteria’s. These criteria are embraced globally in documents like ISO/IEC 17025 for Testing & Calibration laboratories, ISO 15189 for Medical laboratories, ISO/ IEC 17043 for PTP & ISO 17034 for RMP.

Accreditation bodies may also apply additional technical requirements for evaluating a CAB, as per requirements of different technical fields. Accreditation against these international standards also covers the quality management system elements of ISO 9000.

So NABL accreditation, which is based on these standards is a measure of both technical competence and quality management system and is the most appropriate process rather than ISO 9000 certification.

Advantages of NABL Accreditation ?

For Healthcare Service Providers :

Get clients' attention by providing them proof of quality assurance and get ahead of your competition.

Higher product reach as NABL standards align with international standards.

Reduce investment in repeated testing and research.

For People :

Reports are reliable and accurate. There is no necessity of re-testing.

NABL labs are cost effective as pricing is controlled by the accrediting body.

Customers can use the NABL website or Directory of Accredited Laboratories to search for and locate the laboratories that meet their specific standards and are accredited by NABL.

Services provided by NABL ?

NABL provides accreditation to:

Testing laboratories as per ISO/IEC 17025

Calibration laboratories as per ISO/IEC 17025

Medical testing laboratories as per ISO 15189

Proficiency Testing Providers (PTP) as per ISO/IEC 17043

Reference Material Producers (RMP) as per ISO 17034

What is the implementation step for applying for NABL-ISO 17025 ?

NABL-ISO 17025 implementation in your existing environment can be simple and hassle-free. Also, you can choose to participate in various proficiency programs to improve your testing competencies. You can integrate new learning and updated techniques to enhance the quality of results in your laboratories. In order to remain NABL-ISO 17025 compliant and maintain accreditation, you must also get a periodical re-evaluation done by the accreditation body. To avail of the numerous benefits of NABL-ISO 17025 accreditation, follow the essential steps while implementing NABL 17025 in your existing environment.

Appoint a project manager/owner.

Define the Scope for Certification.

Research and understand the requirements associated with the standard.

Perform a gap analysis and identify weak areas.

Prepare an action plan as per the analysis.

Consider all the information and standard requirements to prepare action plans.

Proceed ahead with the action plan.