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 The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has issued clarification on NABL logo and symbol to curb their unauthorized use.
The clarifications states that NABL logo is confined for the use by NABL only. Accredited labs are required to adhere NABL 133 (Policy for Use of NABL Symbol and/or Claim of Accreditation by Accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB) and NABL Accredited CAB Combined ILAC MRA Mark).
NABL has placed the policy for taking suitable action to deal with incorrect references to accreditation status or misleading or unauthorized use of accreditation symbols in any manner as detailed in NABL 133.The accredited CAB is neither allowed to make misleading/unauthorized statement regarding its accreditation nor refer to accreditation in such a way so as to imply that a product, process, service, management system or person is approved by NABL.
In case of unauthorized use of NABL logo, NABL may publish on its website or initiate legal action.
NABL symbol should be used by NABL accredited CABs. The NABL symbol contains Certificate Number (TC- for Testing, CC- for Calibration, MC- for Medical Testing, PC- for Proficiency Testing Provider and RC- for Reference Material Producers as Accreditation Certificate Number provided by NABL only).
Symbol should be only in black and has to be used only by accredited laboratories in accordance with NABL 133. An accredited conformity assessment body upon expiry, suspension or withdrawal of its accreditation (however determined), is required to discontinue use of all advertising matter that contains any reference to an accredited status.
Any representation other than specified will be treated as violation of NABL 133 and suitable adverse actions may be initiated. Use of NABL symbol is mandatory for the parameters/tests covered under NABL accredited scope on all the test report/certificate, medical test report/certificate, calibration certificate/report, PT report and RM document issued by NABL Accredited CAB. Narrative reference to accredited status in place of NABL symbol is not acceptable in test reports/calibration certificates/PT report/RM document.
NABL has also clarified about policy for use of NABL symbol and/or claim of accreditation by accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB). In the event of CAB being placed under suspension/withdrawal/expiry of accreditation, the CAB shall immediately cease to issue certificate and report displaying the "NABL Symbol"; or any claim of accreditation; and shall cease publishing and/or distribution of documents (including advertisement, website, letter head etc.) containing the "NABL Symbol" or reference to NABL accreditation.
It was also clarified that CAB shall not make any claim of NABL accreditation outside accredited scope which includes reporting a test method not appearing in the scope of accreditation, reporting a value outside accredited range among others.
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