India has inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL)
India has inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory — making it one of only two countries, along with the United Kingdom, to host such a facility.
The NESL will test, calibrate, and certify air pollution monitoring equipment to suit Indian conditions, reducing foreign dependency and boosting indigenous manufacturing.
Aim:
- To establish India-specific standards for air pollution monitoring instruments.
- To support effective implementation of pollution control policies such as National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Key features:
- Calibration and testing under Indian climatic conditions (temperature, humidity, dust load).
- Ensures traceable, accurate, and standardised environmental data.
- Supports domestic manufacturing, startups, MSMEs, and regulators.
- Only the UK and India currently have such national-level facilities.