ILAC-MRA: why it matters for your reports
NABL is a signatory to the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement. Here is what that means, and what it does not.
What ILAC-MRA is
ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) runs a Mutual Recognition Arrangement among accreditation bodies worldwide. NABL is a signatory for medical testing, which supports international acceptance of results from NABL-accredited laboratories.
What it covers
The ILAC-MRA mark applies only to tests within our NABL scope of accreditation. Whether a particular employer, embassy or authority accepts a report is that organisation's decision, so please check their requirement before you book.
Why employers care
A consistent, accredited process helps HR and compliance teams trust results across locations and over time, especially for pre-employment and periodic health checks.
ILAC and the Mutual Recognition Arrangement
The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) brings together accreditation bodies from around the world. Its Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) is an agreement in which accreditation bodies recognise each other’s accredited laboratories as equally competent. NABL, India’s accreditation body, is a signatory to the ILAC MRA.
For a patient or employer abroad, this means that an accredited Indian laboratory’s results can be accepted with confidence by other countries that are part of the arrangement, without repeating the test.
What the ILAC-MRA mark covers
The mark applies only to tests that are inside the laboratory’s NABL scope of accreditation. It does not mean that every test we perform carries the mark. Reports for accredited tests carry the NABL and ILAC-MRA symbols as per NABL’s rules.
Who benefits
- Candidates and employers who need medical reports accepted for overseas employment
- Insurers and institutions that require accredited laboratory results
- Patients who travel for treatment and want results that other doctors can trust
Requirements vary by country, employer or agency. Always check the exact checklist before testing.
How to confirm
See our NABL accredited lab page for the certificate number MC-10015 and the scope. You can also verify the certificate on the NABL website. If a particular test is not in scope, we will tell you before the sample is collected.
Frequently asked questions
Does ILAC-MRA mean my report is valid in every country?
No. It means accreditation bodies recognise each other’s accredited laboratories. The final acceptance depends on the receiving authority, employer or agency.
Is the ILAC-MRA mark on every report?
Only on reports of tests that fall within our NABL scope of accreditation.
How do I check if my test is accredited?
Ask us for the scope document or check the certificate on the NABL website using certificate number MC-10015.