NABL Launches India's First Accreditation Scheme for Mobile Food Testing Laboratories

Key Facts

• The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) launched India's first accreditation scheme for mobile food testing laboratories on 10 August 2026.
• The scheme was unveiled at the 'Gunvatta Samanvaya – A Multilateral MoU Exchange Ceremony' held at Hotel Ashoka, New Delhi.
• NABL operates under the Quality Council of India (QCI), which was established in 1997 as an autonomous body to promote quality standards in India.
• The scheme accredits mobile laboratories based on their competence in testing methods, equipment, and personnel. It does not provide funding for the establishment of mobile laboratories.
• Mobile food testing laboratories are transportable units or vehicles that conduct food testing near the point of sample collection, enabling rapid screening especially in local markets and remote locations.
• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry highlighted that the scheme enables mobile laboratories to provide internationally benchmarked food testing directly to communities, supporting faster regulatory action upon detection of contaminants.
• The scheme operates under NABL’s Integrated Assessment Programme (IAP), which streamlines assessment requirements into a single process for ease of doing business.
• A multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by participating organisations to promote integration of quality infrastructure and regulatory convergence.
• Food safety surveillance is linked to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Laboratory accreditation ensures reliability, traceability, and technical competence in testing.
• Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, attended the launch event.

Background & Context

NABL is India's national accreditation body for testing and calibration laboratories, medical laboratories, and proficiency testing providers, under the QCI. It accredits conventional and specialized laboratories based on international standards to ensure quality in testing.

Mobile food testing laboratories bring testing capabilities closer to sampling points, reducing turnaround time and improving food safety surveillance especially in areas with limited access to fixed laboratories.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

The launch of the first accreditation scheme for mobile food testing labs by NABL underlines India's commitment to strengthen food safety infrastructure by leveraging technology and mobile testing units. It illustrates government initiatives to improve quality standards, enforce food safety regulations efficiently, and facilitate ease of doing business. These are important topics related to governance, regulatory frameworks, public health, and quality infrastructure in India and may be tested in UPSC and other competitive exams.

Points to Remember

• NABL launched the first-of-its-kind accreditation scheme for mobile food testing laboratories on 10 August 2026.
• The scheme is part of the NABL's Integrated Assessment Programme (IAP) which combines multiple accreditation processes.
• Mobile laboratories conduct testing near the point of sample collection for rapid screening.
• Quality Council of India (QCI) is NABL’s parent organization, established in 1997.
• The launch ceremony was held in New Delhi at the 'Gunvatta Samanvaya – A Multilateral MoU Exchange Ceremony'.
• Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade was present at the launch.
• The scheme facilitates faster food safety surveillance and regulatory actions across diverse locations.
• Accreditation recognizes the competence of labs but does not provide infrastructure funding.
• Multilateral MoUs signed at the event aim to promote integration and convergence in quality infrastructure.