World’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory and the world’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration at the CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

Boost to Environmental Governance
The National Environmental Standard Laboratory marks a major step in strengthening India’s environmental governance framework. The Minister noted that India-specific calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring systems was long overdue.

• The facility will enable transparent, traceable and accurate environmental data.
• It will support regulatory bodies, industries and startups by testing monitoring instruments under Indian climatic conditions.
• The laboratory will enhance policy enforcement under initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

Global Leadership in Solar Calibration
The National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration positions India among a select group of global leaders in photovoltaic measurement standards.

• Developed in collaboration with PTB, Germany, the facility uses a laser-based Differential Spectral Responsivity (L-DSR) system.
• It achieves the lowest global uncertainty of 0.35% (k=2) for reference solar cell calibration.

Strategic and Economic Significance
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that the new solar calibration facility will:

• Reduce India’s dependence on foreign certification agencies.
• Save foreign exchange and shorten calibration turnaround time.
• Enhance investor confidence in India’s rapidly expanding solar energy sector.