ARAI Pune Gets NABL Accreditation for Cylinder Testing

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has received ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for its Cylinder Testing Facility at the Mobility Research Centre in Takwe, Pune. The facility is operational for testing high-pressure gaseous cylinders used in automotive, hydrogen, industrial, marine, defence, and space applications.

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and NABL

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is an international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. NABL is India’s national accreditation body for testing and calibration laboratories and operates under the Quality Council of India framework. Accreditation under this standard is used for laboratory competence, method validity, and technical reliability.

Type I to Type IV Cylinders

The ARAI facility can test Type I, Type II, Type III, and Type IV gaseous cylinders. These cylinder types differ by construction, material composition, and liner design, and they are used in compressed natural gas, hydrogen, and other gaseous storage systems. The facility also supports cylinders for CNG, HCNG, oxygen, nitrogen, inert gases, and other gas applications covered under the Gas Cylinder Rules.

Testing Capabilities and Applications

The laboratory can conduct material characterisation, hydrostatic testing, pressure cycling under climatic conditions, permeation testing, burst testing, bonfire testing, drop testing, and mechanical and environmental durability evaluations. It can test hydrogen cylinders up to 700 bar within its established capabilities, while some specialised hydrogen tests remain outside the current NABL accreditation scope.

Important Facts for Exams

• ARAI was established in 1966 and functions as an automotive research and testing organisation in India.
• NABL is the national accreditation body for testing and calibration laboratories in India.
• ISO/IEC 17025 is the global standard for testing and calibration laboratory competence.
• Hydrogen storage cylinders are classified by construction into Type I, Type II, Type III, and Type IV categories.

Exam Relevance

The facility is linked to domestic testing capacity for high-pressure alternative fuel systems. It also supports certification work for manufacturers and technology developers in India.