NABL 142

NABL

NATIONAL ACCREDITATION BOARD

FOR TESTING AND CALIBRATION
LABORATORIES

POLICY
on TRACEABILITY OF
MEASUREMENT RESULTS

ISSUE NO : 04
ISSUE DATE: 27.06.2012

AMENDMENT NO :00
AMENDMENT DATE: --

AMENDMENT SHEET
Sl

Page

Clause

Date of

No.

No.

Amendment

Amendment made

Reasons

Signature

Signature

QO

Director

10

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 142
Issue No: 04

NABL Policy on Traceability of Measurement results

Issue Date: 27.06.2012
Last Amend No: 00

Amend Date: --

Page No: 1/ 4

CONTENTS
Sl.

Chapter

Page No.

Amendment Sheet

Contents

1.

Introduction

2.

Scope

3.

NABL Policy

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 142
Issue No: 04

NABL Policy on Traceability of Measurement results

Issue Date: 27.06.2012
Last Amend No: 00

Amend Date: --

Page No: 2/ 4

1.

INTRODUCTION
Metrological traceability is the property of a measurement result whereby the result can be related to a
reference through a documented unbroken chain of calibrations, each contributing to the measurement
uncertainty (VIM: 2010). Traceability of test and or measurement data is very important to adjudge the
validity of results.
ILAC characterized traceability by six essential elements:
i.

an unbroken chain of comparisons: going back to stated references acceptable to the parties,
usually a national or international standard;

ii.

uncertainty of measurement: the uncertainty of measurement for each step in the traceability
chain must be calculated or estimated according to agreed methods and must be stated so that an
overall uncertainty for the whole chain may be calculated or estimated;

iii. documentation: each step in the chain must be performed according to documented and generally
acknowledged procedures; and the results must be recorded;
iv. competence: the laboratories or bodies performing one or more steps in the chain must supply
evidence for their technical competence (e.g. by demonstrating that they are accredited);
v.

reference to SI units: the chain of comparisons must, where possible, end at primary standards for
realization of the SI units;

vi. calibration intervals: calibrations must be repeated at appropriate intervals; the length in of these
intervals will depend on a number of variables (e.g. uncertainty required, frequency of use, way of
use, stability of equipment).
ISO/IEC 17025 requires all equipment used for test and or calibrations including equipments of subsidiary
measurements having significant effect on the accuracy or validity of the result shall be calibrated
according to established calibration program to maintain traceability to SI units. Standard also specifies
the mechanisms that can be practiced in the absence of such traceability.
ISO15189 also requires a laboratory shall design a program for calibration of measuring systems and
verification of trueness shall and performed so as to ensure that results are traceable to SI units or by
reference to a natural constant or other stated reference.

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 142
Issue No: 04

NABL Policy on Traceability of Measurement results

Issue Date: 27.06.2012
Last Amend No: 00

Amend Date: --

Page No: 3/ 4

2.

SCOPE
This document details the traceability requirements of NABL and acceptable traceability terms for Testing,
Calibration and Medical laboratories. The traceability requirements are according to ILAC P10:2002 "ILAC
policy on traceability of measurement results"

3.

NABL POLICY
1.

NABL accredited testing and calibration laboratories are required to have an established program
of calibration to ensure that its testing and measuring equipment are traceable to SI units where
possible through national or international standards.

2.

NABL oblige calibration of equipments from:

i.

From national metrology institute; National Physical laboratory (NPL) India or from a National
metrology institute who is signatory to Comit International des Poids et Mesures (CIPM)
Mutual recognition arrangement (MRA)

ii.

From an NABL accredited calibration laboratory or from an accredited calibration laboratories of

APLAC/ ILAC MRA partner when the MRA covers calibration activities. Calibration certificate
bearing Accreditation body's symbol / a specific reference to the accreditation status by a
recognized accreditation body (ILAC/APLAC MRA partner) shall only be considered for valid
traceability.

3.

Where such traceability is not possible or reasonable:

i. The laboratory shall demonstrated suitable traceability by using certified reference material
which gives reliable physical or chemical characterization of a material. CRM shall be acquired
from a competent Reference Material producer preferably accredited by an ILAC MRA partner
according to ISO Guide 34 or from a National Metrological Institute (NMI) that is a signatory to
CIPM MRA.
ii. NABL also recognize traceability to specified methods and /or consensus standards that are
clearly described and agreed by all parties concerned. The laboratory shall provide satisfactory
evidence of correlation of results for example by participating in Proficiency Testing and/ or
performance characteristics checks against manufacturers standards.

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 142
Issue No: 04

NABL Policy on Traceability of Measurement results

Issue Date: 27.06.2012
Last Amend No: 00

Amend Date: --

Page No: 4/ 4

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

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Tel.: +91-11-46499999
Fax: + 91-11- 26529716
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