NABL 130

National Accreditation Board for Testing

and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)

Specific Criteria for Site Testing and

Site Calibration Laboratories

ISSUE NO. : 05 AMENDMENT NO. : 00

ISSUE DATE : 19-Apr-2016 AMENDMENT DATE : --
 AMENDMENT SHEET

Sl Page Clause Date of Amendment Reasons Signature Signature

No. No. Amendment QM Director
1

10

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 130 Specific Criteria for Site Testing and Site Calibration Laboratories
Issue No: 05 Issue Date: 19-Apr-2016 Amend No: 00 Amend Date: -- Page No: 1/9
 CONTENTS

Sl. Title Page No.

Amendment Sheet 1

Contents 2

Introduction 3

1 Scope 3

2 Definitions 3

3 Management Requirements 4

4 Technical Requirements 5

4.1 Personnel 5

4.2 Accommodation and Environment 5

4.3 Equipment and Reference Material 6

4.4 Calibration and Test Methods 7

4.5 Certificates and Reports 7

Appendix: 8

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 130 Specific Criteria for Site Testing and Site Calibration Laboratories
Issue No: 05 Issue Date: 19-Apr-2016 Amend No: 00 Amend Date: -- Page No: 2/9
INTRODUCTION

NABL has developed “Specific Criteria” for each discipline of testing and calibration to provide information
on the additional requirements for each field /discipline of accreditation. Laboratories seeking accreditation
for site calibration/ testing must also meet the requirements outlined in the Specific Criteria relevant to that
field /discipline.

This specific criteria document is intended for the laboratories/ entities who are engaged in site testing or
calibration.

1. SCOPE
This specific criteria document describes additional accreditation requirements specifically applicable
to the laboratories performing tests or calibrations at customer's premises (site) or at a location
temporarily set up for a defined duration away from the permanent laboratory or in a mobile facility.
Laboratories/ entities may be accredited for site testing or calibration regardless of their affiliation with
an accredited “permanent laboratory”, as defined in Section 3 of this document. However, if any
laboratory is accredited only for site testing / calibration; the accreditation status of the site testing/
calibration laboratory shall not be used to claim accreditation at the permanent laboratory. ie. The
permanent laboratory (if any) shall not be considered as one of the site. Further in such cases the
permanent laboratory/entity shall apply for accreditation of its permanent laboratory separately.

2. DEFINITIONS
2.1 Permanent Laboratory: A testing or calibration laboratory set up in a dedicated location for an
indeterminate amount of time.

Note: This is the laboratory location and address denoted on the certificate of accreditation
2.2 Entity: Company, Consultancy, Partnership or other body who does not necessarily have a
permanent laboratory but who performs tests or calibrations at site

Note: this definition may be read only in connection with the purpose of this document
2.3 Site Testing/ Calibration Facility: Testing/ Calibration performed by staff of a laboratory or entity at
the customer premises or location outside1 of a permanent laboratory.

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 130 Specific Criteria for Site Testing and Site Calibration Laboratories
Issue No: 05 Issue Date: 19-Apr-2016 Amend No: 00 Amend Date: -- Page No: 3/9
 Note:
1. Temporary facility created for a defined period is considered as site calibration/ testing facility
2. Site Tests or Calibrations are normally performed:
 by an accredited, permanent laboratory
 by an entity that does not have a permanent laboratory

2.4 Mobile Facility: Fully equipped, self-contained, transportable testing or calibration facility capable of
performing tests/ calibrations under controlled environmental conditions.

3. MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
The permanent laboratory or entity performing site calibration/ testing shall:
3.1 document and establish procedure and the arrangements for the site/mobile operations.

3.2 maintain a separate list of tests or calibrations that the laboratory/ entity is capable of performing at
site under its temporary site facility or mobile facility or at the customer's site.

3.3 provide the details of how the Management system is applied to and incorporates site/mobile testing/
calibration (e.g, an organizational chart for the permanent laboratory showing lines of responsibility
and authority for site testing/ calibration etc) as well as arrangements for the supervision of
site/mobile testing or calibrations.

3.4 develop test/ calibration procedures to be followed for site testing / calibration.

3.5 have procedure and appropriate mechanism for verification of equipment before and after site
calibration / testing.

3.6 For mobile facility; laboratory/ entity shall ensure that the above procedures shall also includes
precautions to be taken/ considered while performing testing /calibration.

Note: These precautions including however not limited to control of environmental conditions,
vibration control, suitable selection of vehicle etc.

3.7 ensure the availability of relevant documents to the relevant personnel.

3.8 have ensure that audit and review of the site laboratory’s quality control system must be conducted
using similar procedures as those applied to a permanent laboratory.

3.9 have internal audit plan / schedule covering the site activities also. The designated internal auditor
shall visit site and or mobile laboratories as part of the audit and review process. The audit process

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 130 Specific Criteria for Site Testing and Site Calibration Laboratories
Issue No: 05 Issue Date: 19-Apr-2016 Amend No: 00 Amend Date: -- Page No: 4/9
 shall contain elements to assess whether on-site tests and/ or calibrations continue to comply with
the requirements of the management system.

3.10 have Management review process ensuring the suitability and effectiveness of site/mobile tests and/
or calibrations activities.

3.11 have procedure ensuring the security and confidentiality of test/ calibration data obtained and held at
site.

4. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
4.1 PERSONNEL

4.1.1 The permanent laboratory or entity shall have procedures for ensuring that staff performing site
tests/ calibrations are properly trained and competent. Evidence of the competence of staff
performing the specific site tests or calibrations shall be available.

4.1.2 Site testing/calibration shall be performed by the laboratory personnel only, However,
assistance/support for operation and functioning of the device under test/calibration can be
obtained from the customer.

4.2 ACCOMMODATION AND ENVIRONMENT

4.2.1 Where the environmental conditions may affect the instrumentation and the test/ calibration result
the same shall be identified and recorded.

4.2.2 Where tests/ calibrations are undertaken in a hostile or unstable environment or in an

environment that may affect the test or calibration results, there shall be procedures for
monitoring these conditions and the effect of the environment on the performance of the test or
calibration. This monitoring shall be recorded. The same shall be considered while estimating
uncertainty of measurement. Further the actual test/ calibration conditions shall be mentioned in
the test/ calibration reports.

4.2.3 There shall be provisions for restricting access to the site laboratory where unrestricted access
could invalidate the test or calibration results.

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 130 Specific Criteria for Site Testing and Site Calibration Laboratories
Issue No: 05 Issue Date: 19-Apr-2016 Amend No: 00 Amend Date: -- Page No: 5/9
 4.2.4 When a facility is created temporarily for a defined period, all requirements of the permanent
laboratory as specified in relevant specific criteria shall be applied for accommodation and
environmental conditions.

4.2.5 For mobile facility, laboratory shall ensure specific arrangements to minimize vibration, shock,
noise etc. due to the operation of the vehicle and ambient conditions and also demonstrate
proper environmental conditions same as that required by the relevant specific criteria. Further
the mobile facility shall ensure abide by the legal and other road regulations.

4.2.6 In both above cases lab shall demonstrate adequate space and housekeeping and shall be free
from any external disturbances that may adversely affect the test/ calibration results.

4.3 EQUIPMENT AND REFERENCE MATERIAL

4.3.1 The laboratory shall be furnished with all equipment needed for site testing / calibration with valid
traceability. The laboratory shall not use any major equipment other than its own for these
activities.

4.3.2 Laboratory may use same equipments for permanent and site facilities, however, in order to
ensure that there is no abrupt change in calibration status of the equipment being taken to site,
the laboratory shall verify the equipment before taking the it out of the permanent laboratory/
entity and again bringing it back to the laboratory/entity.

The following methods can be practiced for the verification

a. In case laboratory/entity is having a separate set(s) of equipments for the site testing/
calibration, these equipments can be verified against the reference standards maintained in
the permanent laboratory/ entity.

b. Verification using an artifact which is dedicatedly kept with the permanent laboratory or entity
before and after site calibrations/ testing. The artifact shall be of reasonably good accuracy
and stability. The verification results before and after site calibration / testing shall be within
the estimated uncertainty obtained using the artifact.

c. The Self check/ calibration facility integrated in equipments.

4.3.3 Records of the verifications shall be maintained. If equipment is found to be unfit for use and/ or
out of calibration, it shall not be used and shall be immediately withdrawn from service. The

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 130 Specific Criteria for Site Testing and Site Calibration Laboratories
Issue No: 05 Issue Date: 19-Apr-2016 Amend No: 00 Amend Date: -- Page No: 6/9
 laboratory shall examine the effects of such equipment on previous tests or calibrations and
initiate procedure for control of non-conforming work.

4.3.4 Laboratory / entity shall prepare and implement a calibration schedule for its equipment used for
site testing /calibration. More frequent calibration and intermediate checks of equipment used for
site testing /calibration are expected considering the fact that these equipments are subjected to
movement and hostile or unstable environmental conditions.

4.3.5 There shall be procedures for safe handling, transport, storage, use, and planned maintenance of
equipment/ reference standard used in site testing or calibration.

4.3.6 Laboratory shall identify and authorize personnel to perform site testing / calibration and operate
specific equipments.

4.3.7 Adequate packing of equipment shall be ensured to avoid any damage during transit. The
packing materials used such as duralumin boxes, wooden boxes, shall be such that the
equipments are not affected during the transport to the site.

4.4 CALIBRATION AND TEST METHODS

4.4.1 Up-to-date test/ calibration procedures (whether standard methods or internal procedures) shall
be made available to all staff performing tests or calibrations at site. Procedures shall exist for the
supply and updating of test/ calibration procedures required by staff working at site.

4.4.2 Where appropriate, the uncertainty of measurement will be estimated using appropriate methods
of analysis, taking into account the prevailing environmental conditions. Where it is not
appropriate to determine measurement uncertainty, the laboratory shall demonstrate that method
performance is within the defined control limits of the reference test method.

4.5 CERTIFICATES AND REPORTS

4.5.1 Procedures shall exist for recording and reporting all results obtained at site and shall be in line
with the system operating in the permanent laboratory (where appropriate).

4.5.2 Results obtained from site tests/ calibrations shall be clearly identified on the test Reports/
calibration certificates, with the details of the location at which test/ calibration performed.
Environmental conditions at the test/ calibration site shall also be clearly brought out in the
certificate.

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 130 Specific Criteria for Site Testing and Site Calibration Laboratories
Issue No: 05 Issue Date: 19-Apr-2016 Amend No: 00 Amend Date: -- Page No: 7/9
 APPENDIX A
1. APPLICATION

At the time of application, the laboratory must specifically identify those tests or calibrations (and
personnel involved) that are performed at site, whether wholly or partly, including a complete
description and identification of any mobile laboratory and its equipment. The laboratory must also
identify themselves as an “Entity” or a part of a “permanent laboratory”, as defined in section III of this
document. Laboratory shall mark the relevant facilities (mobile, site) as defined in NABL 151,
NABL152 (application forms) as well declare the staff responsible for site testing / calibration.

2. ASSESSMENT

The assessment, whether or not it includes the assessment of an affiliated “permanent laboratory”,
shall entail an examination of the operation of the Management system at site, normally where
testing/ calibration for a customer is performed. It shall also entail the assessment of the testing/
calibration competency of the site test/ calibration staff, with particular emphasis on those tests/
calibrations that can only be carried out at site.

The laboratories involved in site calibration/testing shall demonstrate the site calibration/ testing
procedure, transportation of equipment for site calibration/ testing, verification of standards before
and after calibration/ testing etc.

If the laboratory is performing calibration/ testing activities with same method/techniqe in its
permanent facility as well as at site by same technique/procedure and using same/similar equipment;
the assessment team witness the site calibration/ testing for the purpose of verification of site
calibration/ testing procedures only and not necessarily for defining the CMC (for calibration)/
verifying testing capability.

3. SCOPE OF ACCREDITATION

An accredited permanent laboratory which is also accredited for site testing/ calibration shall be
issued one Scope of Accreditation indicating all tests/ calibrations within a particular discipline which
they are accredited.

For the calibration laboratories, that are performing calibrations both at site and permanent facility by
same methods / technique, the CMC shall be demonstrated in the permanent laboratory. The CMC

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 130 Specific Criteria for Site Testing and Site Calibration Laboratories
Issue No: 05 Issue Date: 19-Apr-2016 Amend No: 00 Amend Date: -- Page No: 8/9
 demonstrated/ witnessed in the permanent laboratory is also valid for on-site calibrations with one of
the remarks in the scope of accreditation as below:

a. The laboratory is capable for site calibration however; the uncertainty at site depends on the
prevailing actual environmental conditions and master equipment used.
b. Only for Site Calibration
c. Only for Permanent Laboratory

However, for the site calibration if the laboratory is using different method, technique other than that
of permanent laboratory it shall be demonstrated for defining CMC and shall mentioned in the scope
of accreditation separately.

Further, in exceptional cases like better CMC at site than the permanent one; the laboratory may be
accredited for different CMC; for permanent and for site based on the request from the laboratory. In
such cases (even if the laboratory is using same method/ technique for permanent and site facilities)
laboratory shall demonstrate the CMC both at site and laboratory separately. However, it shall be
ensured that CMCs shall be demonstrated within the boundaries of defined environmental conditions
as specified in the relevant specific criteria of each discipline. In case the CMC for site are better than
the permanent laboratory because of better environmental conditions etc. at the site, this statement
to that effect shall be recorded at the scope of the laboratory.

An accredited site testing/ calibration entity shall be issued a certificate and scope of Accreditation
specifying all site test/ calibrations for which they have been accredited. The accredited entity shall
be identified on the certificate and scope by the address of the entities permanent base or
headquarters. If the accreditation is to include more than one mobile testing facility (not affiliated with
a permanent laboratory), each mobile facility (as defined in Section II of this document) will be
considered as a separate and will be identified separately in the Scope of Accreditation.

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Doc. No: NABL 130 Specific Criteria for Site Testing and Site Calibration Laboratories
Issue No: 05 Issue Date: 19-Apr-2016 Amend No: 00 Amend Date: -- Page No: 9/9
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)
NABL House
Plot No. 45, Sector 44,
Gurgaon - 122002, Haryana
Tel. no.: 91-124-4679700 (30 lines)
Fax: 91-124-4679799
Website: www.nabl-india.org