Established to harmonise standards across the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation( OIC) member states, SMIIC is driving efforts to build trust, remove trade barriers, and strengthen the halal industry worldwide.

GLOBAL HALAL SHIFT

Halal today extends far beyond food. It represents a complete lifestyle underpinned by values of integrity, safety, and sustainability. Recognising this, SMIIC has expanded its standardisation work to cover pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, supply chain, tourism, management systems, and even animal feed.

Technology is also transforming the development and implementation of halal standards. SMIIC is actively adopting digital tools such as artificial intelligence and data analytics to streamline processes, increase consistency, and adapt quickly to new challenges.

At the same time, its foundation remains rooted in scientific rigour, inclusivity of Islamic schools of thought, and expert consensus, ensuring broad acceptance across the Muslim world.

TRUSTED CERTIFICATION

training and capacity-building programmes for certifiers across member states.

Over the past two years, 13 training programmes have been delivered, equipping industry players with the skills to apply halal standards effectively and consistently.

HALAL TRADE FLOWS

SMIIC’ s mission goes beyond certification. It is also about creating opportunities for trade. By establishing unified halal standards, SMIIC helps remove technical barriers that have long hindered crossborder exchange.

Producers and exporters no longer need to meet multiple national requirements, making it easier for halalcertified products and services to reach new markets.

Accreditation plays a crucial role in this process. Through close collaboration with the Islamic Forum for Halal Accreditation Bodies( IFHAB), SMIIC ensures that accredited bodies operate within a transparent and internationally recognised framework.

This builds mutual trust among trading partners and enhances consumer confidence.

Although precise trade impact data is still being compiled, the benefits of harmonisation are already apparent. These include

The halal economy and halal system have big expectations from our institutions. We will do our best for all Ummah

- İhsan Övüt

reduced duplication in certification, smoother market access, and more substantial competitiveness of halal-certified goods in global markets.

STRONGER TOGETHER

The upcoming SMIIC Conference, held in conjunction with the Malaysia International Halal Showcase( MIHAS) 2025, offers a vital platform for dialogue and cooperation. It will bring together national standardisation bodies, certification authorities, industry stakeholders, and scholars to discuss challenges and opportunities in halal standardisation.

The conference will also highlight the role of the IFHAB in strengthening accreditation frameworks, as well as SMIIC’ s efforts in capacity-building and knowledge sharing.

FUTURE ROADMAP

Looking to the future, SMIIC remains committed to ensuring that its standards reflect both scientific developments and societal values. Ethical sourcing, sustainability, and animal welfare are increasingly crucial to Muslim consumers, and SMIIC is integrating these considerations into its halal frameworks.

SMIIC’ s long-term vision is clear. The organisation aims to utilise standardisation as a strategic tool for unity, economic empowerment, and ethical leadership in the Islamic world.

By equipping all member states with the necessary technical capabilities and institutional support, SMIIC aims to ensure that the benefits of halal standards are shared widely across the Ummah.

“ The halal economy and halal system have big expectations from our institutions. We will do our best for all Ummah,” said SMIIC Secretary General İhsan Övüt.

With initiatives that strengthen trust, remove barriers, and embrace innovation, SMIIC is not only shaping the future of halal standards but also paving the way for a more interconnected and prosperous halal economy.-