NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) is the only government-authorized body in India that accredits testing and calibration laboratories. Established as a constituent board of the Quality Council of India, NABL operates under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and ensures that laboratories meet international standards and have the technical expertise to conduct reliable tests.1
NABL accreditation is based on the ISO/IEC 17025 international standard, which specifies general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories. This standard enables laboratories to demonstrate that they operate competently and generate valid results, thereby promoting confidence in their work both nationally and internationally.2
NABL is a signatory to Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA) with: - ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation): Provides global recognition of test reports - APAC (Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation): Ensures acceptance across Asia-Pacific region
This international recognition means that reports from NABL-accredited laboratories are accepted in overseas markets, facilitating international trade and reducing the need for retesting.3
For businesses, reports from NABL-accredited laboratories are essential for multiple reasons:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recognizes and notifies NABL-accredited food laboratories under Section 43 of the FSS Act, 2006.4 This makes NABL accreditation mandatory for: - Food safety compliance testing - Regulatory submissions to FSSAI - Legal disputes and court cases - Export certifications
Customer Trust and Confidence: NABL accreditation provides formal recognition of laboratory competence, increasing confidence in test results and helping businesses demonstrate their commitment to quality and safety.
Export Facilitation: International recognition through ILAC and APAC agreements means NABL reports are accepted globally, reducing shipment rejections and facilitating smooth export operations.5
Cost Reduction: Accreditation helps reduce costs by eliminating or reducing the need for retesting in other countries. Manufacturers and exporters save both time and money when their products are tested in accredited laboratories.3
Risk Management: Accurate and reliable test results help businesses identify potential issues early, manage quality control effectively, and prevent costly product recalls or regulatory penalties.
Competitive Advantage: Using NABL-accredited testing demonstrates commitment to quality standards, helping businesses stand out in competitive markets and win tenders that require independently verified laboratory reports.
Process Improvement: The robust quality management systems required for NABL accreditation ensure consistent, reproducible results that help businesses improve their manufacturing processes and maintain quality standards.
According to NABL's official documentation, accreditation provides numerous advantages:3
ISO/IEC 17025 is the global quality standard for testing and calibration laboratories. The standard covers:2
Laboratories must demonstrate compliance with all requirements through rigorous assessment by NABL assessors before receiving accreditation.
Equinox Labs is a leading FSSAI Approved & NABL Accredited Food, Water & Air Testing Laboratory with over 20 years of experience. Founded in 2005, the company has grown to become an industry leader in testing and food safety services across India.6
Experience and Reach: - 20+ years of industry experience - Served 85,000+ clients across various sectors6 - Delivered 90,000+ testing and compliance solutions - Trained 150,000+ people on food safety and environmental safety - Sample collection network across 500+ cities in India
Expert Team: - 550+ domain experts dedicated to quality and compliance - Specialized teams for food, water, and environmental testing - Certified auditors and trainers
Certifications and Accreditations:7 - NABL Accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) - FSSAI Notified Laboratory - APEDA Certified - MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) Certified - ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) - ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) - ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System)
Mission: Improving Lives By Ensuring Quality and Innovation
Purpose: To ensure that water, food, and air is safe in India
Core Values:6 - Delivering great results and taking care of client needs - Continuous improvement in quality and innovation - Transparent communication and collaboration - Making thoughts into reality through action
Equinox Labs operates NABL-accredited laboratories in five strategic locations across India, serving diverse industries and ensuring food, water, and environmental safety nationwide.
Mumbai, India's financial capital and a melting pot of cultures, is home to a diverse food industry—from street vendors to luxury restaurants. With such a vast food ecosystem, ensuring safety and quality is essential. Food brands and establishments must conduct regular testing and audits to comply with regulations and maintain consumer trust.
Location: Equinox HQ, R-854, T.T.C. Rabale, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400701
Equinox Labs' Mumbai facility serves as the company headquarters and provides comprehensive testing services for: - Food manufacturing units - Corporate offices and cafeterias - Hotels, restaurants, and catering services - Pharmaceutical companies - Export-oriented businesses
As an industry leader and NABL-accredited laboratory in Mumbai, Equinox Labs provides reliable testing and auditing services to help businesses meet the highest safety and quality standards.
Hyderabad, known for its rich history and iconic cuisine—especially its world-famous Biryani—attracts food lovers from across the country. The city has emerged as a major IT and pharmaceutical hub, with a thriving food industry serving a diverse population. With rapid growth in food services and manufacturing, ensuring safety and compliance is crucial for food brands and establishments.
Equinox Labs' Hyderabad facility is a trusted NABL-accredited laboratory providing: - Food safety testing for local delicacies and packaged foods - Water quality testing for IT parks and residential complexes - Pharmaceutical water testing - Environmental monitoring for industrial facilities
We provide reliable testing and auditing services to help businesses maintain the highest safety and quality standards, ensuring consumer trust and regulatory compliance.
With Chennai's rapid industrial growth and expanding corporate sector, the city has become a hub for people from across India. This cultural diversity has fueled a rise in food brands and eateries, making food safety and quality more important than ever. Chennai's strategic location also makes it a key center for food exports and manufacturing.
Equinox Labs' Chennai facility is a trusted NABL-accredited laboratory serving: - Automotive industry cafeterias and facilities - Food processing and export units - Educational institutions - Healthcare facilities - Hospitality sector
We provide reliable testing and auditing services to help food businesses ensure safety, maintain compliance, and build consumer trust in Tamil Nadu and surrounding regions.
Bengaluru, India's Silicon Valley, is a bustling hub of IT professionals, students, and entrepreneurs. With a diverse population and a thriving food scene, maintaining high standards of food and water safety is essential. From corporate tech parks to vibrant street food hubs, businesses must ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
The city's cosmopolitan culture has created demand for diverse cuisines and food services, making quality testing critical for: - Tech company cafeterias and food courts - Cloud kitchens and delivery services - Craft breweries and beverage manufacturers - Organic food producers - International food chains
Equinox Labs is a trusted NABL-accredited laboratory in Bengaluru. Specializing in food, water, and air testing, we help businesses maintain top-quality standards through reliable testing and auditing services.
Noida, a fast-growing industrial and corporate hub in the Delhi-NCR region, is home to multinational companies, manufacturing units, and a thriving food industry. With a large population depending on food services and the proximity to the national capital, maintaining high safety and hygiene standards is crucial for businesses.
The Delhi-NCR region's strategic importance for both domestic consumption and exports makes quality testing essential for: - Food manufacturing and processing units - Export-oriented businesses - Corporate cafeterias and food courts - Educational institutions - Healthcare facilities
Equinox Labs is a trusted NABL-accredited laboratory in Noida. Specializing in food, water, and air testing, we help businesses—whether large-scale manufacturers or small eateries—ensure compliance, quality, and consumer safety through reliable testing and auditing services.
Equinox Labs' NABL-accredited laboratories provide comprehensive testing services:
When selecting a NABL-accredited laboratory for your testing needs, consider:
Verify NABL Accreditation: Check the laboratory's NABL certificate and scope of accreditation on the official NABL website (nabl-india.org)
Scope of Testing: Ensure the laboratory is accredited for the specific tests you require
Geographic Reach: Consider sample collection convenience and turnaround times
Experience and Expertise: Look for laboratories with domain expertise in your industry
Additional Certifications: Check for FSSAI notification, ISO certifications, and other relevant accreditations
Technology and Infrastructure: Modern equipment and validated methods ensure accurate results
Customer Support: Responsive communication and technical guidance are valuable
Turnaround Time: Balance between speed and accuracy based on your needs
Choosing Equinox Labs for NABL-accredited testing provides several advantages:6
Single Point of Contact: One-stop solution for all testing, auditing, and compliance needs across food, water, and environmental parameters.
Dedicated Experts: Access to 550+ domain experts who provide end-to-end support for quality improvement and compliance.
Innovation Driven: Implementation of latest technologies ensures quick turnaround times and real-time reporting capabilities.
Colossal Presence: Sample collection across 500+ cities with state-of-the-art laboratories in 5 major locations ensures accessibility nationwide.
Proven Track Record: With 85,000+ satisfied clients and 90,000+ solutions delivered, Equinox Labs has established itself as a trusted partner for quality and safety.
Comprehensive Certifications: Multiple accreditations (NABL, FSSAI, APEDA, MoEFCC, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001) demonstrate commitment to excellence across all quality parameters.
NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) is the only government-authorized body in India that accredits testing and calibration laboratories. It is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India and ensures that laboratories meet international standards (ISO/IEC 17025) and have the technical expertise to conduct reliable tests. NABL is a signatory to international mutual recognition arrangements (ILAC and APAC), which means reports from NABL-accredited labs are accepted globally.13
NABL accreditation is crucial for food testing because FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) recognizes and notifies NABL-accredited laboratories under Section 43 of the FSS Act, 2006.4 Reports from NABL-accredited labs are legally valid for regulatory compliance, essential for food businesses to meet safety standards, support exports, and build customer trust. The accreditation ensures accurate, reliable, and reproducible test results.
Benefits include: international recognition of test reports, enhanced customer confidence, regulatory compliance, reduced risk of product rejection in exports, cost savings by eliminating retesting needs, access to global markets, robust quality management systems, assurance of accurate results, and better operational control.3 For businesses, NABL reports help manage risks, improve processes, and provide competitive advantages.
Equinox Labs operates NABL-accredited laboratories in five major Indian cities: Mumbai (Navi Mumbai), Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru (Bangalore), and Noida.6 The company also offers sample collection services across 500+ cities in India, making testing services accessible nationwide.
ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories. It specifies general requirements for competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of laboratories.2 NABL accreditation is based on this standard, ensuring that accredited laboratories operate competently and generate valid results, thereby promoting confidence in their work both nationally and internationally.
Equinox Labs holds multiple certifications:7 NABL Accredited (ISO/IEC 17025), FSSAI Notified Laboratory, APEDA Certified, MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) Certified, ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety). These certifications demonstrate comprehensive quality and compliance standards.
Equinox Labs has served over 85,000 clients across various sectors including corporates, hospitals, schools, food manufacturing, and HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, and Catering).6 The company has delivered 90,000+ solutions in testing and compliance and trained 150,000+ people on food safety and environmental safety.
NABL-accredited laboratories undergo rigorous assessment to meet international standards (ISO/IEC 17025), have validated quality management systems, participate in proficiency testing, and their reports are legally recognized by regulatory authorities like FSSAI. Non-NABL labs may not meet these standards, and their reports may not be accepted for regulatory compliance, exports, or legal purposes. NABL accreditation provides assurance of technical competence and reliable results.
You can verify NABL accreditation by visiting the official NABL website (nabl-india.org) and using their laboratory search function. Check the laboratory's certificate number, scope of accreditation, and validity period. Ensure the specific tests you require are included in the laboratory's accredited scope.
Turnaround times vary depending on the type of test and complexity. Equinox Labs uses latest technologies to ensure quick turnaround times while maintaining accuracy. Contact the laboratory directly for specific timelines based on your testing requirements.
NABL is a signatory to ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) and APAC (Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation) mutual recognition arrangements.3 This means test reports from NABL-accredited laboratories are accepted in international markets, reducing the need for retesting and facilitating smooth export operations. This saves time, reduces costs, and minimizes the risk of shipment rejection.
NABL accreditation represents the gold standard for laboratory testing in India, providing assurance of technical competence, international recognition, and regulatory compliance. For businesses operating in food, water, and environmental sectors, choosing NABL-accredited laboratories is not just a regulatory requirement but a strategic decision that builds customer trust, facilitates exports, and ensures product quality.
Equinox Labs, with its network of NABL-accredited facilities across Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Noida, combined with 20+ years of experience and comprehensive certifications, stands as a trusted partner for businesses seeking reliable testing and compliance solutions. With 85,000+ satisfied clients and a commitment to quality and innovation, Equinox Labs continues to lead the industry in ensuring food, water, and environmental safety across India.
By choosing NABL-accredited testing, businesses demonstrate their commitment to quality and gain a strong competitive advantage in both domestic and international markets.
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). "About NABL." NABL India. https://nabl-india.org/ ↩↩
International Organization for Standardization. "ISO/IEC 17025 — Testing and calibration laboratories." ISO. https://www.iso.org/ISO-IEC-17025-testing-and-calibration-laboratories.html ↩↩↩
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. "Benefits of Accreditation." NABL India. https://nabl-india.org/benefits-of-accreditation/ ↩↩↩↩↩↩
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. "Food Laboratories." FSSAI. https://fssai.gov.in/cms/food-laboratories.php ↩↩
"The Role of Food Testing Labs in India's Growing Export Market." SKAS Lab. https://skaslab.com/blogs/the-role-of-food-testing-labs-in-india.html ↩
Equinox Labs. "About Equinox Lab." Equinox Labs. https://www.equinoxlab.com/about-equinox ↩↩↩↩↩↩
Equinox Labs. "Certifications." Equinox Labs. https://www.equinoxlab.com/certifications ↩↩