India Celebrates World Accreditation Day 2025

The Quality Council of India (QCI), India’s apex body for establishing and promoting quality standards across sectors, marked World Accreditation Day 2025 with a significant event held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The celebration, themed “Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)”, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, accreditation bodies, and stakeholders to reaffirm India’s dedication to quality, innovation, and inclusive growth. This day is observed on June 9th every year.

Global Alignment Through Accreditation

QCI operates through its pivotal constituent boards—the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB). These bodies serve as India’s representatives to international organizations like the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

By aligning India’s quality and conformance infrastructure with global standards, QCI supports the nation’s integration into the international quality ecosystem. This global collaboration enhances the credibility of Indian certifications and ensures the acceptance of Indian products and services worldwide.

Launch of the Revamped NABL Portal

One of the key announcements at the event was the launch of the revamped NABL Portal, an upgraded digital platform designed to:

• Streamline the accreditation process
• Improve digital accessibility
• Facilitate easier compliance for laboratories and MSMEs
• Promote transparency and efficiency in service delivery

The portal exemplifies QCI’s push towards digital transformation in quality systems, especially to benefit micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which often face challenges in navigating regulatory procedures.

Gunvatta Samarpan: A Public Pledge to Quality

Another standout feature of the event was the Gunvatta Samarpan initiative, a unique program that allows organizations to publicly pledge their commitment to accredited standards. This movement fosters a culture of quality consciousness across industries and sectors and strengthens public confidence in Indian goods and services.

A Theme Rooted in MSME Empowerment

The theme of World Accreditation Day 2025—“Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)”—focused on the pivotal role of accreditation in enabling MSMEs to:

• Enhance competitiveness
• Gain market access both domestically and internationally
• Improve product and service credibility
• Align with sustainable practices and net-zero goals

By emphasizing MSME inclusion, QCI highlighted how accreditation serves as a growth catalyst for India’s small businesses, driving innovation and resilience in a globalised market.

Leadership Perspectives and Thematic Launch

The event opened with messages from national leadership and the release of a thematic video, setting a reflective tone on the importance of quality, innovation, and sustainability in today’s dynamic business environment.

Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, IAS – DPIIT Secretary

In his keynote, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, emphasized the critical role of accreditation in supporting:

• Indian SMEs’ integration into global markets
• The vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat
• The aspirations of Viksit Bharat @2047

He underscored that certification and assessment bodies are enablers of export readiness, playing a crucial role in inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Shri Jaxay Shah – QCI Chairperson

In his address, Shri Jaxay Shah, Chairperson of QCI, referred to accreditation as a “gateway to global trust.” He noted that:

• Accreditation helps MSMEs align with international standards
• Reduces rejection rates and production inefficiencies
• Boosts productivity
• Facilitates access to new markets and customers

Technical Session and CEO Forum: Insights from Industry

The event included a Technical Session and concurrent CEO Forum, where industry experts, accreditation professionals, and business leaders discussed how accreditation can:

• Enhance diagnostic and testing infrastructure
• Promote international trade facilitation
• Support certified management systems and products
• Encourage third-party inspections and certifications
• Drive sustainable manufacturing practices
• Contribute to India’s net-zero emission targets

These sessions offered sector-specific case studies and strategic insights into how accredited systems can transform operational standards and market credibility for MSMEs.

Global Significance of World Accreditation Day

World Accreditation Day, observed annually on June 9, is a global initiative led by ILAC and IAF to highlight the role of accreditation in:

• Strengthening quality infrastructure
• Facilitating international trade
• Driving economic and industrial development

India’s celebration, led by QCI, not only reaffirmed the country’s commitment to high standards and innovation but also positioned accreditation as a foundational tool for empowering small businesses in a global economy.