Regulatory Updates: Staying Compliant with Halal Standards

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Regulatory Updates: Staying Compliant with Halal Standards

Compliance with halal standards is critical for maintaining consumer trust and accessing new markets. As regulations evolve, it’s essential for halal businesses to stay informed and adapt to any changes. This week, we cover the latest halal regulatory updates and how to ensure your business remains compliant.

1. Understanding the Global Halal Regulatory Landscape

Halal regulations vary by region, and understanding the global landscape is crucial:

• Country-Specific Standards: Each country has its own set of halal standards. For example, Malaysia’s JAKIM, Singapore’s MUIS, and Indonesia’s BPJPH all have distinct certification requirements.

• Harmonisation Efforts: There are ongoing efforts to harmonise halal standards across regions, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Southeast Asia. Keep an eye on any new agreements that might simplify cross-border halal certification.

• Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs): Some countries recognise each other’s halal certifications, making it easier for businesses to access multiple markets with a single certification.

2. Key Regulatory Changes to Watch

Recent updates to halal regulations that may affect your business include:

• Stricter Labelling Requirements: Many countries are introducing stricter halal labelling rules to combat fraud and ensure transparency. This includes more detailed ingredient disclosure and halal certification logos.

• Updated Certification Processes: Some halal certification bodies are introducing new requirements for documentation, audits, and renewal processes to enhance compliance. Ensure that your business meets these updated standards.

• Sustainability and Ethical Considerations: Increasingly, companies are required to integrate sustainability and ethical sourcing into their businesses to align with the Sustainability Development Goals 2030. Stay prepared to meet these additional criteria, especially for markets where ethical consumption is growing.

3. Best Practices for Maintaining Compliance

To stay compliant with changing regulations, follow these best practices:

• Regular Audits: Conduct internal halal audits regularly to ensure your business complies with the latest standards. Keep documentation organised and accessible for external audits.

• Continuous Employee Training: Train your staff on updated halal regulations and practices. This ensures your team understands the latest requirements and can implement them effectively.

• Monitor Regulatory Changes: Assign a compliance officer or team to monitor changes in halal regulations. Subscribe to updates from local halal certification bodies and relevant industry associations.

4. Working with Halal Certification Bodies

Certification bodies play a critical role in keeping your business compliant:

• Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with your halal certification body to stay informed about any regulatory changes or updates.

• Timely Renewals: Make sure to renew your halal certification on time, especially when regulatory updates are being implemented, as missing deadlines could affect your certification status.

• Request Clarifications: If any changes in the regulatory framework are unclear, don’t hesitate to request guidance from the certification body to ensure your processes align with the new requirements.

5. Adapting to Market-Specific Regulations

If your business operates in multiple regions, it’s crucial to adapt to the specific regulations of each market:

• Tailored Compliance Strategies: Develop a tailored compliance strategy for each target market based on local regulations and certification requirements.

• Localised Certifications: In regions where halal certification is managed locally, ensure that your products carry the appropriate certifications for that specific market.

• Cross-Border Opportunities: Leverage mutual recognition agreements and regional harmonisation efforts to simplify the certification process for multiple markets.

Key Takeaways

Staying compliant with halal standards is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and adaptation to regulatory changes. By regularly monitoring updates, conducting internal audits, and working closely with halal certification bodies, you can maintain the integrity of your halal certification and ensure your business thrives in the global halal market.

For more insights or for personalised advice, visit:

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Halal Industry News

1. Be more concerned about 'non-halal money' gained through graft, says Rafidah (The Star, 11 Sept 2024)

2. Halal certification should be a choice, not a requirement for non-Muslim eateries, says Indian restaurant owners group (Yahoo News, 11 Sept 2024)

3. Chinese companies see potential of halal products (The Star, 11 Sept 2024)

4. Non-Muslim companies hold 76% of halal certification in Penang (The Sun Daily, 10 Sept 2024)

5. MP SPEAKS | Mandatory halal cert troubling move in multiracial society (Malaysiakini, 8 Sept 2024)

6. Raise concerns through right channels, Anwar says of halal certification ‘controversy’ (The Edge Malaysia, 8 Sept 2024)

7. Umno’s ulama council: No need for Muslim-owned eateries to get halal cert as they are bound by Islamic rules on halal and ‘haram’ (Malay Mail, 7 Sept 2024)

8. Fast-growing Thai halal industry poised for big leap in 2025 (Nation Thailand, 7 Sept 2024)

9. Jakim considers mandatory halal certification for restaurants (Malaysiakini, 6 Sept 2024)