National Environmental Standards Laboratory

Context

Recently, the world's second National Environmental Standards Laboratory (NESL) and the world's fifth National Primary Standards Facility for solar cell calibration was inaugurated at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL).

About the National Environmental Standards Laboratory

• The National Environmental Standards Laboratory is India's premier national facility, specializing in testing, calibration, and certification of air pollution monitoring instruments for Indian climatic and environmental conditions.
• Location: New Delhi, CSIR-NPL
• Affiliated Organization: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Objectives

• Ensuring the accuracy of air pollution monitoring instruments through specific standards
• Supporting the effective implementation of pollution control policies such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

Key Features

• Calibration and testing of instruments under Indian climatic conditions—temperature, humidity, and dust loads
• Ensuring the accuracy and standardization of environmental data
• Supporting domestic manufacturing, startups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and regulators
• Currently, only the UK and India have such a national-level facility.

About the National Primary Standards Facility for Solar Cell Calibration

• The National Primary Standards Facility is a state-of-the-art metrology facility for solar cell calibration.
• Its objective is to ensure accurate measurements in accordance with global photovoltaic (PV) standards to ensure reliable quality and performance of solar energy equipment in India and the world.
• Location: New Delhi, CSIR-NPL

Key Features

• Use of laser-based differential spectral response (L-DSR) system, which ensures highly accurate measurements.
• Developed in collaboration with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) of Germany
• Only the fifth such facility has been established in the world.

About CSIR

• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a contemporary research and development organization known for its cutting-edge research and development knowledge base in diverse science and technology fields.
• CSIR It covers a wide range of science and technology fields – from oceanography, geophysics, chemistry, medicine, genomics, biotechnology and nanotechnology to mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering and information technology.
• It provides significant technological interventions in a range of areas related to societal endeavors, including environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, agriculture and non-agriculture.