NABL LICENSE

The NABL is a self-governing organization that operates under the Indian government’s Department of Science and Technology. Its primary role is to offer accreditation services to labs for testing and calibration, and it is the only accreditation body in the country that serves this function. This article will focus on the significance of the NABL license in the arenas of calibration and testing.

WHAT IS NABL LICENSE?

The NABL license is a certificate granted by NABL to laboratories engaged in testing and calibration. It acknowledges the laboratory’s expertise, neutrality, and dependability in executing tests and calibrations. This certificate confirms that the laboratory adheres to precise quality requirements and has proven its efficiency in generating precise and dependable outcomes.

In India, testing and calibration laboratories are required to have a NABL license. This license is necessary for laboratories that offer their services to industries, government agencies, and other groups. Obtaining a NABL license is important as it verifies the reliability and integrity of the laboratory’s test outcomes, and it instills confidence in the laboratory’s clients regarding its capabilities.

WHY IS NABL LICENSE IMPORTANT?

Testing and calibration laboratories require a NABL license, as it offers numerous advantages such as:

The NABL license guarantees the laboratory’s customers that their services are of high quality. This license serves as evidence that the laboratory has satisfied the quality criteria set by NABL and has exhibited its proficiency in conducting tests and calibrations.
Meeting Regulations: In order to comply with various regulations, testing and calibration laboratories must have the NABL license. This license is mandatory for schemes such as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certification for Electronic and IT Goods and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.
Enhanced Credibility: The acquisition of a NABL certification boosts the reputation and credibility of the laboratory within the industry. It showcases the laboratory’s dedication to providing high-quality services and technical expertise, resulting in clients placing their trust in the laboratory.
The possession of a NABL license sets a laboratory apart from its non-accredited counterparts, giving it an edge in competition. This license indicates that the laboratory operates according to the most stringent quality standards and possesses the necessary technical expertise to deliver precise and dependable results.
Gaining Entry to Fresh Markets: The NABL permit has a global standing, and it assists labs in gaining admission to new markets. It verifies that the lab has achieved the utmost quality standards and is capable of supplying dependable services to customers worldwide.

TYPES OF NABL LICENSE:

There are different types of licenses provided by NABL for laboratories that perform testing and calibration services. The type of license granted depends on the nature and extent of the laboratory’s services. The NABL licenses commonly issued include:

Laboratories that perform testing on a range of products, materials, and substances are referred to as testing laboratories.
Calibration laboratories are facilities that adjust and verify the accuracy of instruments and machinery utilized across diverse industries.
Medical laboratories are facilities that perform medical analyses and investigations.
Inspection bodies are entities that offer inspection services for diverse goods and amenities.

PROCESS OF OBTAINING NABL LICENSE:

Obtaining a NABL license is a challenging and lengthy process, which comprises a series of steps including:

The laboratory is required to apply for accreditation from NABL, and the application must contain comprehensive information about the laboratory’s infrastructure, workforce, equipment, and quality management system.
The review of documents is conducted by NABL to verify that the laboratory’s application and related papers comply with the standards necessary for accreditation.
The laboratory’s infrastructure, staff, equipment, and quality management system are assessed by a team of assessors appointed by NABL through an onsite assessment.
If any issues that do not meet the required standards are found during the inspection on location, the lab must take measures to rectify them.
Acquiring accreditation from NABL results in the issuance of either an accreditation certificate or NABL license, ensuring that the laboratory has fulfilled all necessary requirements.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR NABL LICENSE:

The documentation needed for acquiring a NABL license differs based on the laboratory’s services’ type and range. Despite this, several frequently requested documents include:

Application form
Quality manual
Testing or calibration procedures
Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Equipment calibration certificates
Records of staff members’ qualifications and training are kept.
Infrastructure details
Internal audit reports
Customer feedback and complaints records
Accurate calibration certificates are necessary for the measuring equipment employed in the laboratory.

COST AND TIME INVOLVED:

The amount of money and duration required to acquire a NABL permit differ based on the laboratory’s services’ kind and range. The expenses for obtaining a NABL permit can be between INR 40,000 to INR 2,50,000, depending on the laboratory’s services’ type and range.

Obtaining a NABL license can take different periods of time, from a few months to more than a year, subject to the complexity of the laboratory’s services and the duration spent to address the corrective actions discovered during the onsite assessment.

ADVANTAGES OF NABL LICENSE:

There are several benefits to acquiring a NABL license:

is crucial for gaining the trust of customers. It ensures that the results obtained are accurate and consistent, which is essential for making important decisions based on the test results. Quality and reliability are achieved through the implementation of a robust quality management system, which includes regular audits, staff training, and adherence to international standards. By maintaining high levels of quality and reliability, testing and calibration services can differentiate themselves from competitors and build a strong reputation in the industry. Ultimately, this can lead to increased customer loyalty and business success.
Compliance with regulatory requirements
Enhanced trustworthiness and positive image among customers and stakeholders in the industry.
Having accreditation provides an edge over laboratories that are not accredited in terms of competitiveness.
Access to new markets and clients

DISADVANTAGES OF NABL LICENSE:

There are certain drawbacks associated with acquiring a NABL license:

Getting a NABL license can take up a lot of time and be quite costly.
It can sometimes be difficult for the laboratory to meet the NABL requirements, but they must do so in order to maintain their accreditation status.
The laboratory must make expensive investments in infrastructure, personnel, and machinery to fulfill the accreditation criteria.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:

The NABL, which stands for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, is responsible for accrediting testing and calibration labs in India. A NABL license is mandatory for several industries and sectors like electronics, food and beverages, construction, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, to name a few.

To get and uphold a NABL permit, labs must comply with specific guidelines and criteria that consist of:

To comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, the laboratory must establish a quality control system that entails written protocols and approaches for all laboratory operations, such as testing, calibration, and data handling.
The testing and calibration services provided by the laboratory require suitable infrastructure and equipment. It is essential that the laboratory takes measures to keep the equipment in good condition and performs regular calibration and validation.
The laboratory must have a skilled and knowledgeable workforce who are capable of conducting the necessary tests and calibrations. It is crucial for the laboratory to confirm that their employees possess the necessary expertise and can execute their responsibilities in accordance with the established procedures and protocols.
The laboratory is required to keep thorough documentation of all testing and calibration tasks, including records of test outcomes, certificates of calibration, and any related reports.
To ensure the accuracy and reliability of their testing and calibration methods, it is necessary for laboratories to participate in proficiency testing programs.
The laboratory must perform internal audits to verify the effectiveness and compliance of the quality management system with ISO/IEC standards.
The laboratory must find and tackle any instances of non-compliance and implement measures to fix them as well as prevent them from happening again in the future.

If the rules and regulations of NABL are not followed, the NABL license can be suspended or canceled. In addition, the laboratory could be subjected to legal action and penalties for not complying with the regulations.

CONCLUSION:

To sum up, obtaining a NABL license is a very important accreditation for laboratories that conduct testing and calibration. It offers many advantages, such as ensuring quality standards, compliance with regulations, increased credibility, a competitive edge, and the opportunity to enter new markets. Although the process of acquiring a NABL license is demanding and takes a lot of time, it is vital for laboratories that serve industries, government entities, and other groups.