NABL Launches Digital Portal to Transform Medical Lab Accreditation in India

The portal was officially unveiled at a virtual event titled “GOING LIVE”, marking a milestone in the government’s efforts to ensure ease, efficiency, and transparency in medical laboratory accreditation.

In a significant step towards digitizing India’s quality assurance ecosystem, the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)—a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI)—has launched its newly designed Medical Application Portal for laboratories applying under the ISO 15189:2022 accreditation standard.

The portal was officially unveiled at a virtual event titled “GOING LIVE”, marking a milestone in the government’s efforts to ensure ease, efficiency, and transparency in medical laboratory accreditation.

A Modernized Platform for Accreditation

The NABL Medical Application Portal has been completely reimagined to reflect the real-world workflows of medical laboratories. Unlike earlier processes that were heavily dependent on paperwork and manual data handling, the new digital platform offers:

• Restructured Application Flow – a step-by-step system designed to mirror lab operations and reduce duplication of work.

• Standardized Templates – to bring consistency and clarity in documentation submissions.

• Comprehensive Pre-registration Checklist – guiding labs on mandatory prerequisites before beginning the application.

• User-friendly Interface – intuitive navigation to simplify complex procedures.

• Multi-user Access Feature – allowing laboratories to assign different levels of access to multiple users, ensuring better oversight and accountability.

This digital transformation is expected to dramatically shorten timelines. Where accreditation applications earlier took weeks or even months to complete, the new system enables laboratories to finish the process in just two to three hours.

Leadership Perspective

Highlighting the significance of the launch, Shri Jaxay Shah, Chairperson of QCI, stated that the platform marks “one of the most significant disruptions in India’s quality ecosystem.” He emphasized that the same technology-driven approach would soon be replicated across other sectors, embedding efficiency, innovation, and responsiveness into India’s broader quality journey.

Similarly, Dr. Sandip Shah, Chairperson of NABL, described the platform as a “transformational step” in accreditation services. He underlined that by offering multi-user access and simplified features, NABL is not only enhancing the ease of doing business for medical laboratories but also reinforcing its long-term commitment to advancing quality and reliability in India’s healthcare ecosystem.

Benefits for Laboratories Nationwide

The launch of the Medical Application Portal is set to impact hundreds of medical laboratories across India, enabling them to:

• Save significant time and effort in applying for ISO 15189:2022 accreditation.

• Enhance accountability through transparent data handling and access management.

• Streamline communication with NABL through an integrated digital ecosystem.

• Improve compliance accuracy, reducing the risk of errors or delays.

The portal thus represents a paradigm shift in how accreditation processes are carried out, with potential to boost both laboratory efficiency and public confidence in accredited medical facilities.

Launch Event and Future Expansion

The “GOING LIVE” launch event included a live demonstration of the portal, a detailed walkthrough of its enhanced features, and an interactive Q&A session that allowed laboratory professionals from across India to engage directly with NABL experts.

With the successful rollout of this digital platform, NABL and QCI have signaled a broader digital-first strategy. Similar innovations are expected to be rolled out across testing, calibration, and other quality assurance sectors, further aligning India’s accreditation processes with global best practices.

As India expands its healthcare infrastructure and strengthens its diagnostic capacity, especially in the post-pandemic era, the NABL Medical Application Portal is poised to play a crucial role in ensuring that laboratories nationwide adhere to the highest standards of quality and reliability.