The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has unveiled a broad array of amendments designed to refine its accreditation procedures and alleviate challenges faced by testing laboratories. This overhaul includes notable updates to the accreditation timeline, evaluation techniques, and application periods.
Key Changes to NABL’s Accreditation Framework:
- Increased Validity Period:
- NABL accreditation certificates will now be valid for 4 years instead of 2, applicable to certificates issued following the reforms’ commencement.
- Enhanced Quality Assurance:
- NABL will carry out regular on-site evaluations of certified labs to uphold continued compliance with its standards. Comprehensive reassessments will occur every 2 years throughout the accreditation tenure, ensuring adherence to standards causing less administrative strain while maintaining stringent quality controls.
- Desktop Surveillance for Long-Standing Labs:
- Laboratories boasting over 10 uninterrupted years of accreditation are now qualified for desktop surveillance assessments, bypassing on-site checks. This adjustment acknowledges their reliability and mitigates disruptions from physical evaluations.
- Seamless Renewal Extension:
- To facilitate uninterrupted accreditation, labs that timely submit renewal applications will qualify for a three-month accreditation extension. As part of this process, a single-day verification assessment will be conducted. This measure allows labs to retain their accredited status, given they adhere to renewal schedules.
These revisions are part of NABL’s continuous endeavors to bolster the accreditation mechanism, creating a more efficient and favorable environment for labs. The revisions are expected to notably benefit accredited organizations due to the elongated validity, refined monitoring for seasoned labs, and renewal application flexibility.
“For more detailed updates and instructions, stakeholders should visit NABL’s official website or directly contact the accreditation board,” NABL advises.