NABL Readiness Checklist

Evaluate your hospital laboratory's preparedness for NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accreditation across documentation, equipment, personnel and quality management.

1. Documentation & QMS

Quality Manual (QM) drafted and approvedcritical

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all test processescritical

Document control system in place (version, review, distribution)critical

Internal audit programme established

Corrective & Preventive Action (CAPA) system active

2. Equipment & Calibration

All equipment calibrated with valid certificatescritical

Equipment maintenance logs maintainedcritical

Reference standards traceable to national/international standards

Equipment breakdown and repair records kept

3. Personnel & Training

Lab personnel qualifications documentedcritical

Training records and competency assessments maintained

Authorised signatory meeting NABL educational requirementscritical

4. Sample Handling & Testing

Sample collection, handling and storage procedures definedcritical

Proficiency testing / EQA participation activecritical

Uncertainty of measurement calculated for key tests

Reference ranges validated for patient population

5. Facility & Safety

Dedicated lab space meeting biosafety requirements

Biomedical waste management per BMWM rules

Personnel protective equipment available and used

Result

Section	Items	Compliance

Notes & assumptions: Checklist maps to ISO 15189:2022 / NABL Doc 112 requirements. Critical items are mandatory for initial assessment.

Disclaimer: This tool provides an indicative estimate for general planning only and is not professional, legal, financial, medical or engineering advice. Reference values are editable defaults that vary by location, vendor, regulation and date. Verify critical figures with a qualified professional. Varada Nexus accepts no liability for decisions made using this tool.

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FAQ

What is NABL accreditation for hospitals?

NABL (under QCI) accredits medical testing laboratories to ISO 15189, assuring patients and regulators that test results are accurate and reliable.

How long does NABL accreditation take?

Typically 9–18 months from readiness to certificate, covering application, pre-assessment, assessment and any corrective actions.

What are the most common NABL audit failures?

Missing or outdated SOPs, gaps in equipment calibration records, absence of EQA participation and incomplete uncertainty of measurement calculations.