New Delhi, Dec 24 (NationPress) - The Quality Council of India (QCI) has unveiled a robust suite of next-generation quality reforms in anticipation of Sushasan Divas 2025, aimed at fortifying India’s quality ecosystem.

These reforms are designed to bring about transformative changes across various sectors, including healthcare, laboratories, MSMEs, and manufacturing, as stated by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

A key initiative is the introduction of the Q Mark – Desh ka Haq, which is a QR-coded Mark of Quality that will allow citizens to verify their laboratories, hospitals, and MSMEs, ensuring transparency and combating fraudulent certificates.

The reforms signify a transition from inspection to trust, featuring less paperwork, reduced timelines, fewer inspections, and a more efficient ecosystem grounded in trust. The assessor pool will be broadened across various boards and divisions by lowering entry barriers to attract young experts and enhance last-mile accessibility.

Additionally, QCI is launching Quality Setu, a secure ticket-based system designed for timely grievance resolution and feedback management. A streamlined, paperless, modular one-stop accreditation platform will replace multiple existing portals.

The focus on industry and MSMEs aims to empower India’s economic backbone, comprising over six crore MSMEs. In partnership with the industry, QCI will mentor and assist Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers in achieving ZED and Lean certification, thus preparing Indian products for global standards.

In 2026, one lakh MSMEs and Self-Help Groups under the ODOP initiative will receive training in quality, packaging, and branding.

A Shop Floor Best Practices Playbook will be introduced to familiarize small businesses with global quality practices and enhance daily performance. The fees for ZED and Lean certification will be lowered to ensure affordability, accessibility, and recognition for last-mile entrepreneurs.

Through NABL reforms for industry and laboratories, QCI aims to establish India as the global testing capital. A model scope for medical testing laboratories will be launched to ensure consistency in accredited scopes, while technical skilling initiatives will train 5,000 laboratory personnel in 2026 to bolster the national testing ecosystem.

Self-declaration for authorized signatories will allow for approval of proposed signatories for NABL assessors within 48 hours.

Laboratories will be permitted scope extensions for similar products, methods, tests, or analytes under existing scopes within 48 hours, thereby eliminating long waiting periods. Additional fees for product-based accreditation will be waived where test parameters are already included.

In the realm of healthcare, NABH reforms will prioritize patient safety across all hospitals and pincode areas. Direct and reliable guidance will be provided through NABH’s MITRA programme, featuring trained and verified mentors to support hospitals, especially in smaller towns.

Accreditation criteria will be relaxed, allowing hospitals with 20 percent occupancy to apply. The penalty framework will transition from blanket bans to graded penalties, facilitating guidance and corrective actions.

Gunvatta Pathshala will offer role-based training for doctors, nurses, and technicians in patient safety and accreditation.

Desktop surveillance, including AI-assisted form filling and remote monitoring, will be implemented for consistently performing hospitals to minimize on-site inspections.

NABCB reforms will ensure local products gain access to global markets. Accredited certification for indigenous products will facilitate the seamless integration of Indian products into international supply chains.

A Quality Passport for Indian products and services will be established through globally recognized NABCB-accredited certifications, expediting market access.

Fast-track accreditation for certification bodies will be prioritized in emerging technology sectors such as drones and cybersecurity.