QCI, NABL organise Accreditation Awareness Conference for government departments in Haryana

Chandigarh – In a significant step towards enhancing quality standards across government operations, the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Authority (QAA), Haryana, organized an Accreditation Awareness Conference. The conference aimed to educate government departments on the importance of NABL accreditation, including its benefits, procedures, documentation requirements, and its critical role in ensuring quality and compliance.

The session commenced with an inaugural address by Sh. Rajeev Arora, Chairperson, QAA, who highlighted the transformative impact of NABL accreditation across various sectors. He emphasized that accreditation not only assures the reliability of test results but also enhances global recognition—a crucial factor for sectors like agriculture, horticulture, MSMEs and public infrastructure projects.

“NABL accreditation is a hallmark of trust and technical competence,” Sh. Arora stated. “In sectors like agriculture and horticulture, accreditation is vital for exports as it ensures that products meet international quality standards. For MSMEs, particularly those involved in the export market, NABL accreditation enhances their credibility and market access. Similarly, for public works, accredited testing ensures quality control and compliance with national and international standards,” he added.

One of the key concerns raised during the conference was the reliance on private NABL-accredited laboratories. While private labs play a significant role in providing specialized testing services, legal challenges often arise when government departments collaborate with them, as private entities may not fully cooperate during legal scrutiny. To address this issue, the Government of Haryana is taking proactive steps to foster a process-driven quality culture across all departments and become self-sufficient.

The conference also featured technical sessions by experts from NABL and QCI. Participants from key government departments—including Agriculture, Horticulture, Health, Public Works (B&R), Power, MSMEs, and Public Health Engineering—engaged in discussions on how NABL accreditation can streamline their quality assurance processes. Emphasis was laid on developing in-house accredited laboratories within government departments to reduce dependency on private entities and ensure greater transparency and legal compliance.

With this conference, the Haryana Government and Quality Assurance Authority reaffirmed their commitment to improving quality of products and services across all sectors in the state. The conference concluded with a call to action for all government departments to prioritize NABL accreditation and align their testing mechanisms with global best practices, ensuring public welfare, industry growth, and legal compliance.