Guidance

National treatment of conformity assessment bodies (NTCABs) with India

Published 15 July 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Key points

Following the signing of the UK–India comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) in 2025, which entered into force on 15 July 2026, UK conformity assessment bodies (CABs) can apply for accreditation in India to assess goods against relevant Indian regulatory requirements. Similarly, Indian CABs will be able to apply for accreditation and approval to assess goods against relevant UK regulatory requirements.

UK CABs can apply for accreditation from India’s national accreditation bodies. Should their application be approved, the CAB will be able to assess relevant products against Indian regulations in the UK before export.

This can save time and money for businesses as goods no longer need to be sent to India for conformity assessment procedures ahead of marketing.

This process is referred to as national treatment of conformity assessment bodies (NTCABs) under the terms of the UK–India CETA (article 7.7, subsection 9). It ensures that CABs from the UK and India are treated on the same terms as they are in their own domestic country.

The application process for CABs

If you are a UK CAB interested in applying to assess goods against Indian regulations in the UK, you will need to apply directly to India’s national accreditation bodies. The details of India’s national accreditation bodies are:

• National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB): India’s accreditation body for certification bodies, inspection bodies, validation and verification bodies, and personnel certification bodies
• National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL): India’s accreditation body for testing laboratories, calibration laboratories, medical laboratories, proficiency testing providers and reference material producers

To start the application process, write to the relevant body listed. Explain which goods you would like to be approved to assess and provide any information that may support your application. For example, proof of ability to assess against similar regulatory requirements or standards.

There is no fixed application process. However, the UK–India CETA agreement states that foreign applicants should follow the same process as domestic bodies.

When applying for accreditation in India, it is recommended that you notify both the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) at info@ukas.com and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) at approvedbodies@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

While neither UKAS nor the UK government has a formal role in the application process with Indian accreditation bodies, informing them can help ensure you receive appropriate support throughout your application.

If a UK CAB’s request for approval or accreditation to test against Indian regulations is denied without good reason, the CAB can contact:

• UKAS at info@ukas.com
• DBT at tbtimplementation@businessandtrade.gov.uk

The UK can question these decisions if made unfairly or unreasonably.

Additional information for businesses seeking conformity assessment services

The changes should not change how you interact with UK CABs. However, you may find that UK CABs gain additional ability to assess against Indian regulations.

If the UK CAB you use has already been accredited in India, your product won’t need to be reassessed by a local CAB in India.

To find out whether a CAB has been accredited in India, contact the CAB directly. You can find the contact details of all approved CABs in the UK on the United Kingdom Market Conformity Assessment Bodies Database.