The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 9, 2025
The Quality Council of India (QCI), the national custodian of accreditation, marked World Accreditation Day 2025 with a flagship event at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The celebration underscored the pivotal role of accreditation in driving quality, innovation, and global competitiveness — particularly for India’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
A key announcement of the event was the launch of the revamped NABL Portal by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). The redesigned platform aims to simplify the accreditation process and enhance digital access for laboratories and MSMEs, fostering a more efficient and inclusive quality ecosystem.
Organised in collaboration with QCI’s constituent boards—NABL and the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB)—the event brought together stakeholders from industry, government, and global accreditation bodies including the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). These partnerships ensure India’s quality infrastructure remains aligned with international benchmarks.
A major highlight was the “Gunvatta Samarpan” initiative, which encourages organisations to publicly pledge adherence to accredited standards, reinforcing a nationwide commitment to quality excellence.
This year’s theme, “Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),” spotlighted the transformative impact of accreditation on the sector. From boosting market access and credibility to aligning with global standards, accreditation was showcased as a strategic lever for SME growth.
Addressing the gathering, Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, highlighted accreditation as a powerful enabler for Indian SMEs to thrive in both domestic and global markets. He noted that robust certification and assessment systems are essential to achieving the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @2047 by ensuring quality, driving exports, and promoting inclusive development.
In his keynote address, QCI Chairperson Jaxay Shah emphasized that “accreditation is a gateway to global trust.” He elaborated on its ability to reduce rejection rates, increase productivity, and help MSMEs gain international acceptance.
The event also featured a Technical Session and concurrent CEO Forum, where experts discussed how accreditation fuels MSME growth. Themes ranged from enhancing diagnostic infrastructure and enabling international trade to supporting certified products, sustainable manufacturing, and net-zero commitments.
Observed annually on June 9, World Accreditation Day highlights the significance of accreditation in building resilient quality infrastructure, facilitating global trade, and supporting economic development. This year’s observance by QCI reaffirmed accreditation as a powerful tool to unlock the potential of India’s small businesses in a globalized economy.
