Accreditation as a Pillar of Social Progress

“Technical standards are often viewed through the lens of bureaucracy, but for the Nepal Accreditation Foundation (NAF), they are the bedrock of social justice and the fundamental right to health and safety.”

Securing Public Health through ISO 15189

In the context of Nepal’s developing health infrastructure, the reliability of medical diagnostic results is paramount. NAF’s role in accrediting medical laboratories against ISO 15189:2022 is a direct intervention in public health. This standard ensures that patient testing—from the pre-analytical phase in rural clinics to the post-analytical reporting in central hospitals—meets rigorous global benchmarks. By validating the competence of these labs, we ensure that a mother in any province can trust the diagnostic accuracy of her child’s medical reports, reducing misdiagnosis and improving clinical outcomes across the nation.[2]

The “Chain of Trust” in Food Safety and Trade

Beyond healthcare, NAF supports the national quality infrastructure by accrediting inspection bodies under ISO/IEC 17020 and testing laboratories under ISO/IEC 17025. This creates a “Chain of Trust” that protects Nepalese consumers from sub-standard products and contaminated food. Furthermore, it empowers our local producers. When a laboratory is NAF-accredited, its test reports gain international recognition through the APAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). This allows “Made in Nepal” products to enter global markets without the burden of redundant testing, effectively lifting communities out of economic isolation.[2, 1]

Vision for 2026: A Globally Trusted Nepal

As the international accreditation landscape transitions to GLOBAC on January 1, 2026, NAF is positioning Nepal as a regional leader in technical integrity. Our roadmap includes expanding accreditation scopes for biobanking and proficiency testing, ensuring that Nepal’s technical infrastructure is resilient, future-proof, and dedicated to the social welfare of its people.[3, 1]