@ Halal | November-December . 2024

SMIIC works to standardise halal certification among OIC Member States

BY ZAFIRAH ZAFRUDDIN

Compliance with each country ’ s standards often requires additional testing , certification , or labelling , which ultimately increases operational costs .

“ One of the most significant technical barriers to trade among Organisation of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ) countries is preferring national standards and systems over harmonised practices ,” The Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries ( SMIIC ) Secretary-General ihsan Övut commented .

Recognising this , SMIIC seeks to establish a comprehensive quality infrastructure by developing unified standards for halal-related products .

“ Our standards are based on the needs of stakeholders , producers , and investors , said Övut .

“ We encourage our members to participate actively in the standards development process , ensuring their input is reflected in the final standards .

“ At the end of this month ( September ), we will hold the 13th Technical Committee ( TC ) Week Meetings . Nearly 200 people will gather to discuss how to develop new standards .”

As a non-profit organisation , SMIIC prioritises supporting its member States through a regulatory framework aimed at promoting economic growth and social well-being .

Key initiatives include the establishment of the Islamic Forum for Halal Accreditation Bodies ( IFHAB ) and SMIIC Academy , as well as organising various training programmes . SMIIC also provides technical support and promotes research and development ( R & D ) for industry players and its member States .

For greater operational efficiency , SMIIC reviews existing internal standards prior to developing new ones , avoiding redundant endeavours .

“ To date , we have published nearly 60 standards , 20 of which focus on halal issues . We have 17 technical committees actively working on new items . I hope that in the future , we will develop new standards for various aspects of halal .”

SMIIC & INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

“ SMIIC ’ s standardisation system is built on consensus , and all the process aligns with international practices ,” stated Övut .

The published standards encompass contributions from over 45 countries addressing technical matters , in addition to fatwas issued by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy ( IIFA ), which represents the viewpoints of eight madhhabs .

“ In our system , standards projects are balloted and commented on at every stage . We use the SMIIC Information System ( IS ) to ensure an effective and smooth process enabling our members to be more active and engaged .”

In order to guarantee halal products meet the same quality and safety requirements ,

ihsan Övut

The 13th SMIIC Technical Committee ( TC ) Week .

regardless of where they are manufactured or tested , SMIIC enforces a comprehensive framework . This framework includes uniform measurement ( metrology ) practices and consistent laboratory testing procedures across member States .

Since its founding , SMIIC has been actively working with international organisations and regulatory bodies . The African Organisation for Standardisation ( ARSO ), Arab Industrial Development , Standardisation , and Mining Organisation ( AIDSMO ), GCC Standardisation Organisation ( GSO ), GCC Accreditation Centre ( GAC ), and several other standardisation-related organisations have signed agreements for cooperation .

Through its partnership , SMIIC aims to streamline the mobility of products across borders . SMIIC is also in talks with the International Organisation for Standardisation ( ISO ) and the World Trade Organisation ( WTO ) Technical Barriers to Trade ( TBT ).

ECONOMIC IMPACT

SMIIC measures the economic impact of its standards and metrology initiatives through different methods : 1 . Collaboration : SMIIC works with national standards bodies in the member States to review the adoption and implementation of OIC / SMIIC standards .

2 . Sales Data : Tracking online sales of OIC / SMIIC standards through SMIIC websites . This figure specifies the utilisation of the standards .

3 . Training Participation : The demand for SMIIC ’ s training programmes offered to member States and the private sector shows the standards ’ relevance and effectiveness .

4 . Accredited halal certificates : The increased number of accredited halal certificates issued by national accreditation bodies within the member States denotes consumer demand for halal-certified products . All four indicators demonstrate that halalcertified foreign trade under OIC / SMIIC standards has gained a strong foothold in the international market .

Moreover , the quality and reliability of halal products are contingent upon metrology infrastructure , coordination , and adherence to standards among the OIC member States . While this is a long-term investment , its full impact will be realised in the future .

In the interim , SMIIC offers on-site training and capacity-building programmes in countries such as Bangladesh , Indonesia , Malaysia , and Kyrgyz Republic , among others . These efforts aim to boost the competitiveness of local manufacturers and industries , allowing them to increase exports and access new markets in accordance with OIC / SMIIC standards .

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Over the next five years , SMIIC will prioritise the standardisation of halal standards and improve the general quality infrastructure in OIC Member States . As part of its Vision 2030 plan , SMIIC aims to increase the adoption and recognition of OIC / SMIIC standards among member States .

The organisation also has plans to expand its training programmes and technical assistance efforts . This is to strengthen the capacities of its member States , enabling them to implement halal standards better and participate in international trade .

In addition to collaborating with international standardisation organisations and stakeholders , SMIIC is also working towards creating mutual recognition agreements with IFHAB .

With advancements in technology like Artificial Intelligence ( AI ), blockchain , and the Internet of Things ( IoT ) reshaping various industries , SMIIC ensures its standards are kept up-to-date . This is achieved through regular reviews and the integration of the latest trends , technological advancements , and research findings .

“ We ’ re always involved in research and innovation to stay ahead of technological changes , allowing us to integrate innovations and technologies into our work , said Övut .

“ This way , our standards stay relevant and meet current industry needs . We keep the lines of communication open with industry stakeholders to gather their insights and feedback , which helps us understand and adapt to evolving market demands .”

To highlight , SMIIC has recently added an AI module called ‘ AI Conversation ’ to its IS .

SMIIC is also using digital platforms to enhance the reach of its training and capacity-building initiatives offered by SMIIC Academy . While in-person classes are available , these digital learning options enable SMIIC to extend its reach to participants in non-OIC countries .

“ By using these tech advancements , we ’ re modernising our operations , improving compliance , and boosting the growth and innovation of the halal industry ,” he remarked . –