Dubai: Representatives of 10 countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Dubai recently to establish the International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF) to be based in the emirate.
Jointly spearheaded by the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC) and the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA), the initiative aims to make the UAE a global reference point in halal product certification and enabling legislation.
Once established, IHAF will aim to regulate the halal industry and introduce an inspection mechanism that safeguards customers’ rights and industry promotions. In addition, the accreditation body will help build credibility and confidence in halal-certified food and non-food products globally.
“The agreement will facilitate the structured organisation of varied sectors of Islamic economy and the formation of its entities. Furthermore, it will enable the documentation of local and international references and lay down specifications for a unanimously agreed mechanism that will be binding on all participating countries in the Islamic economy space,” said Mohammad Al Gergawi, Chairman of the DIEDC.
The issue of global standardisation of halal products and services has been on the agenda of several stakeholders of the Islamic economy since the nascent sector gained international recognition in recent years.
“Standardisation is key to the halal value chain. Having unified schemes that ensure the development of necessary specifications, and put in place suitable verification systems are vital to the growth of this industry. Accreditation bodies are crucial to the overall scheme of things in a nascent sector such as Islamic economy,” said Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ESMA.
