{"id":303922,"date":"2021-12-08T10:39:51","date_gmt":"2021-12-08T13:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/?p=303922"},"modified":"2021-12-09T15:27:30","modified_gmt":"2021-12-09T18:27:30","slug":"unified-global-halal-standards-an-imperative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/en\/unified-global-halal-standards-an-imperative\/","title":{"rendered":"Unified global halal standards an imperative"},"content":{"rendered":"

S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 Halal certification beyond borders was the topic addressed by the keynote speaker of the second day of the Global Halal Brazil business forum. \u201cUnified global halal standards have become an imperative for Muslims and the world,\u201d Saeed Hayek (pictured above<\/em>), Quality manager of the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), said.<\/p>\n

Participating remotely, Hayek stressed that most authorities in the halal world don\u2019t allow certification beyond borders. \u201cIt\u2019s strange to think that authorities can\u2019t agree on a unified standard. They can\u2019t reach a common understanding. But when it comes to cross-border certification, they tend not to accept. Authorities should focus on meeting halal requirements in terms of quality and not restrict to borders,\u201d he argued.<\/p>\n

The executive believes the barrier in unification may come from a matter of security but that from the consumer perspective, cross-border certification is well-accepted.<\/p>\n

Hayek believes a unified standard would cut costs and raise efficiency. \u201cWe saw manufacturers ceasing to be halal due to the complexity. Having to be certified by five different entities is just too much. They seek secrecy first. If each country requires something different, information could leak,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The benefits of unification would include a uniform training across all teams, more familiarity for certifiers and a higher consumer trust.<\/p>\n

The executive points out that in a globally organized chain like we got today, unified standards are the way to trace each and every part of a product. \u201cWe\u2019re in globalized world. We trace products from farm to table. In halal we also must create international recognition. This is what will allow us to trace it from farm to table,\u201d he finished, adding that unification is not restricted to food, as it encompasses cosmetics, personal care items, medicines, personal products, and household goods.<\/p>\n

Gulf and Asia<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the panel \u201cAccrediting and Regulating Bodies -Gulf and Asia,\u201d the issue of standardization was also the topic. Accrediting bodies recognize that certifiers can issue halal documents for companies across the world. \u201cStandardization is very important for the whole world. We could talk about it for hours,\u201d Nizar El Ghandour, International Relations director of FAMBRAS Halal, who moderated the talk, said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Panel closed the second day of the hybrid forum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Abdulla Al Ali, head of the Registration section at the Emirates National Accreditation System affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates, also mentioned the importance of bringing together entities to reach a global model. \u201cKey to achieve harmonization is focusing on the strengths,\u201d Ali said.<\/p>\n

Bringing the perspective of Asian countries, Muhammad Naim Mohd Aziz, senior assistant director of the Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia (JAKIM), talked about the initiative of the institution that worked on introducing halal certifications into the region. \u201cIt\u2019s been over 40 years since the beginning. We are entering a digital era now, with a burst of industrial revolutions. Everything now depends on fast and accurate information access,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n

Azis believes monitoring and improving processes is essential. \u201cOur role will include a continuous improvement, taking into consideration the need for an industrial revolution. We have to keep revisiting policy-making and thinking on how we can better maintain this system,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Muti Arint, executive director of international accrediting body LPPOM MUI, spoke from Indonesia. The executive explained how the non-governmental organization works with over 60 institutions in her country. \u201cWe\u2019ve implemented halal-based digital certification in Indonesia. We\u2019re supported by more than 1,000 auditors and representatives overseas. We cooperate with 44 certifiers from 26 countries, as well as a certified halal lab,\u201d she said on the investments in technology that the entity has made.<\/p>\n

Amnah Shaari, vice president of Arab Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and CEO & founder of Serunai Commerce Sdn Bhd, also believes the industry must take the course of more technology and collaboration. \u201cAs someone from the private sector, we hope to see a higher cooperation at a global level,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

In Malaysa, an app is already used to make information available to the consumer, the executive explained. Shaari expects that initiatives like this could be better used with a universal system. \u201cHaving a standard is key. We know that the system was created this way because we have so many different cultures in the Muslim world. [Standardization] is very important because we all must accept a new ingredient that comes in. Having more cornerstones of standards for medical devices, for example. This would bring a greater acceptance from the public,\u201d she finished.<\/p>\n

The forum runs till Wednesday (8) with the support of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), BRF, Pantanal Trading, Portonave, and Iceport. It is hosted by journalist Renata Maron. The event can be watched on the its website or the ABCC\u2019s \u00a0YouTube<\/a> channel. It features translation into Portuguese and English. The event is held by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce<\/strong> and the Federation of Muslim Associations in Brazil (FAMBRAS Halal).<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s more on the event:<\/em><\/p>\n