The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has recently introduced the National Lab Directory. This newly launched platform is designed to serve as a comprehensive source for all testing requirements needed by varied sectors including industries, academia, researchers and other stakeholders who need recognition for their Testing Facilities. Currently, the National Lab Directory comprises labs that have received accreditation from reputable organisations such as the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Hallmarking Labs.
Recognition Expansion
With this new development, labs recognised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) can also be highlighted accordingly in the Directory. This inclusion not only widens the scope of the Directory but also provides recognition to more labs performing crucial tests.
Advantages of National Lab Directory
The National Lab Directory has been designed with a primary goal in mind – to facilitate stakeholders in identifying the appropriate test facilities needed for assessing the conformity of relevant products or for conducting tests for research and development purposes. In this way, it serves as a one-stop-shop solution, eliminating the need to approach multiple sources for identifying suitable labs, thereby increasing efficiency and saving time.
List of Accredited Organisations
The Directory currently includes laboratories accredited by the following organizations:
| Organisation | Description |
|---|---|
| NABL | National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories |
| BIS | Bureau of Indian Standards |
| APEDA | Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority |
| FSSAI | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India |
Working Towards a Unified Directory
While the Directory is still in its early phase, it already provides a unified platform for industries, academia, researchers and other stakeholders looking to identify the most suitable labs for their testing needs. It helps in quick identification of appropriate test facilities needed for assessing the conformity of relevant products or in testing for research and development purposes. This not only improves efficiency but also greatly reduces the time taken to identify the right lab. The introduction of this Directory marks a significant step towards the centralisation of lab-related information.