The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the timeline for FSSAI-notified laboratories to obtain accreditation under the FSSAI-NABL Integrated Assessment Scheme. This notice was issued on June 3, 2024.
It may be recalled that the FSSAI had imposed certain conditions for the validity and recognition of laboratories by its notice dated June 28, 2023. These conditions are as follows:
- FSSAI will only accept new laboratory proposals for recognition and notification if the laboratory has obtained accreditation under FSSAI-NABL Integrated Assessment.
- Laboratories notified under FSSAI must obtain FSSAI-NABL Integrated assessment before their NABL accreditation validity expires or by March 31, 2024, whichever is earlier.
The FSSAI has stated that despite these conditions being notified, many laboratories still lack accreditation under the NABL-FSSAI Integrated Scheme. Therefore, by the present notice, the FSSAI has emphasized that these laboratories must apply for NABL accreditation within three months. Failing to comply with this notice will lead to administrative actions as per the Food Safety and Standards (Recognition and Notification of Laboratories) Regulation, 2018.
