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 Recognizing the challenges faced by some Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) in implementing digital authentication systems, the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has introduced a practical solution to ease their transition. To support CABs—particularly those with limited IT infrastructure—NABL is recommending a dedicated software application that enables the generation and integration of Unique Laboratory Report (ULR) numbers and QR codes for certificates and test reports.
This initiative follows NABL's earlier directive urging all accredited laboratories to incorporate QR codes and ULRs in their reports to improve transparency, ensure authenticity, and facilitate a smooth digital transformation in laboratory practices. By embedding these features, NABL aims to create a robust and trustworthy system that verifies the credibility of reports and prevents fraudulent documentation.
The recommendation is specifically tailored for testing laboratories, calibration labs, and Reference Material Producer (RMP) facilities operating under NABL accreditation. The software automates the generation of unique ULRs and QR codes for each report or certificate, ensuring each document is traceable and tamper-proof.
One of the system’s key strengths is its seamless integration into existing laboratory processes. It is designed to align with a lab’s current NABL-accredited scope without requiring significant operational changes. This ensures that labs can adopt the system without disrupting their daily workflows, regardless of their technological readiness.
The core objectives of this digitization push include enhanced tracking, enabling laboratories to monitor and manage their reports with greater efficiency, unique identification to assign exclusive ULRs to each document to prevent duplication and simplify reference for clients, seamless integration to embed the solution into the laboratory’s current processes without requiring significant operational overhauls, blockchain-based security to automate report dispatch through NABL’s blockchain-enabled system, adding a layer of data integrity and safeguarding against tampering.
The technology's real-time verification capability allows end-users to confirm report authenticity instantly using a smartphone, which addresses growing concerns about forged or manipulated lab certificates. This move is seen as a critical step in restoring and maintaining trust in laboratory reports across several vital sectors.
"Ensuring report integrity is critical not just for regulatory compliance, but also for maintaining public trust. This initiative supports accredited labs in embracing modern tools that secure their data, simplify user communication, and promote transparency," a senior NABL official emphasized.
To support smaller or rural laboratories that might lack advanced digital systems, NABL is promoting a user-friendly version of the software that can be deployed without the need for skilled IT personnel. This makes the solution practical and accessible to a broad range of laboratories, regardless of size or location.
In addition to recommending the software, NABL will provide active support to CABs during the transition. The organization plans to roll out a series of workshops and webinars aimed at training lab personnel, addressing technical concerns, and helping facilities implement the system efficiently.
The move is expected to significantly impact several sectors that rely heavily on NABL-accredited lab reports—including pharmaceuticals, food testing, environmental monitoring, and healthcare diagnostics. As the system gains traction, report authentication will become faster, more reliable, and more secure, boosting confidence among all stakeholders in the quality and authenticity of lab data.
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