NABL alerts over misrepresentation of NABL symbol to violating norms

Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai

The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has alerted all the stakeholders and testing labs that NABL symbol is not permitted in pages and/or part of a report/certificate where non accredited parameters occur.

“Any other representations other than permitted will be treated as violation of NABL 133 and suitable adverse actions may be initiated,” informed N Venkateswaran, chief executive officer, NABL.

Use of NABL symbol is mandatory for the parameters/tests covered under NABL accredited scope on all the test report/ certificate, medical test report/ certificate, calibration certificate/report, Proficiency Testing (PT) and Reference Mate- rial (RM) document issued by NABL accredited Conformity Assessment Body (CAB).

In order to enable global acceptance of its accredited CABs, NABL maintains linkages with international bodies like International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) and Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC).

NABL is Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) signatory to ILAC as well as APAC for the accreditation programs – Testing and Calibration (ISO/IEC 17025), Medical (ISO 15189), Proficiency Testing Providers (PTP) (ISO/IEC 17043) and Reference Material Producers (RMP) (ISO 17034).

As per the laid down guidelines, the testing lab shall obtain approval in writing from NABL and agree to the rules for the use of the accredited CAB Combined

ILAC MRA Mark. It shall use the NABL accredited CAB Combined ILAC MRA Mark only after getting written permission from NABL. It shall need to fill in the Appendix ‘A’- Agreement for use of NABL accredited CAB Combined ILAC MRA Mark and submit it to NABL.

NABL is an accreditation body, with its accreditation system established in accordance with ISO/IEC 17011. It has been mandated to strengthen the accreditation system accepted across the globe by providing high quality, value driven services, fostering APAC/ILAC MRA, empanelling competent assessors, creating awareness among the stakeholders, initiating new programmes supporting accreditation activities and pursuing organisational excellence.

As per the norms, the ILAC

MRA Mark shall be positioned at the left side of the NABL symbol but shall appear in close proximity to each other.

NABL shall not permit the use of NABL Accredited CAB Combined ILAC MRA Mark to the CAB, if there is any ongoing complaint against that particular CAB.

NABL provides voluntary accreditation services to testing laboratories in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 ‘General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories’, calibration laboratories in accordance with ISO/ IEC 17025 ‘General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories’, medical testing laboratories in accordance with ISO 15189 ‘Medical laboratories -Requirements for quality and competence’, Profi-

Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai

Maharashtra leads in having the maximum number of 1,302 National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited labs in the country.

This is followed by Gujarat which has 862 labs, Tamil Nadu with 758 labs, Karnataka with 612 labs, Uttar Pradesh with 561, West Bengal with 443 labs, Haryana with 413, Telangana with 407, Rajasthan with 322 labs, Kerala with 303 labs, Madhya Pradesh with 289 labs and Andhra Pradesh with 235 labs

NABL has accredited more than 8064 conformity assessment bodies (CABs) or labs as on date with support from the laboratories, Proficiency Testing (PT) Providers, Reference Material Producers (RMPs) and Assessors.

CAB is a body which includes testing including medical laboratory, calibration laboratory, proficiency testing provider, certified reference material producer.

NABL has been established with the objective to provide government, industry associations and Industry in general with a scheme for third-party assessment of the quality and technical competence of testing and calibration laboratories.

“A 3-year transition period has also been given from the date of publication of the revised standard ISO 15189: 2022 "Medical Laboratories – Requirements for quality and competence".

All NABL accredited medical laboratories will receive the assessment programme with an option to undergo transition to ISO 15189: 2022 version. Based ciency Testing Providers (PTP) in accordance with ISO/IEC 17043 “Conformity assessment — General requirements for proficiency testing” and Reference material producers (RMP) in accordance with ISO 17034 “General requirements for the competence of reference material producers”.

NABL is Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA) signatory to ILAC as well as APAC for the accreditation of Testing and Calibration Laboratories (ISO/ IEC 17025), Medical Testing Laboratories (ISO 15189), Proficiency Testing Providers (PTP) (ISO/IEC 17043) and Reference materials producers (RMP).

Such MRA reduces technical barriers to trade and facilitates acceptance of test/ calibration results between countries which MRA partners represent. u on the opted assessment programme, NABL will conduct the assessment,” informed N Venkateswaran, chief executive officer (CEO), NABL.

“NABL has also initiated region wise stakeholders meetings for accredited laboratories. The stakeholders can interact with the NABL officials and share their views for improvement of the system,” he added.

The Ministry of MSME has announced that units under MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme will be granted reimbursement of the testing charges if their products are tested in NABL accredited laboratories. A new Portal to accept GATC (Government Approved Testing Center) applications has been developed by NABL and is LIVE. NABL Accredited Laboratories can submit applications online through this portal to NABL.

The laboratories shall undergo assessment by NABL and Legal Metrology Division and based on the outcome of the assessment, GATC Approval shall be given by the Legal Metrology Division, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.

“Blockchain portal is being used by CABs and we have received encouraging feedback. I urge CABs that have not yet onboarded themselves on the blockchain portal to do so at the earliest. In order to maintain continuity in accreditation, laboratories are required to submit renewal applications six months in advance. This period is utilized to conduct the assessment in a timely manner and avoid break in the accreditation cycle,” Venkateswaran said. u

WHO updates critical drug list for emergency

Geneva

The World Health Organization (WHO) updated its list of medicines that should be stockpiled for radiological and nuclear emergencies, along with policy advice for their appropriate management. These stockpiles include medicines that either prevent or reduce exposure to radiation, or treat injuries once exposure has occurred.

“In radiation emergencies, people may be exposed to radiation at doses ranging from negligible to life-threatening. Governments need to make treatments available for those in need – fast,” said Dr Maria Neira, WHO Acting Assistant Director-General a.i, Healthier Populations Division.

“It is essential that governments are prepared to protect the health of populations and respond immediately to emergencies. This includes having ready supplies of lifesaving medicines that will reduce risks and treat injuries from radiation.”

Key highlights:

This publication supersedes the 2007 WHO report on the development of national stockpiles for radiation emergencies. It includes updated information on the stockpile formulary based on the developments in radiation emergency medicine in the last decade.

It provides policy advice for acquisition of drugs which can prevent or reduce radionuclides uptake or increase elimination of radionuclides from the human body.

It looks at the main elements required for developing, maintaining and managing the national stockpiles of specific medical supplies which will be required for radiological and