ICCI-IHI GLOBAL STANDARDS CAN SPUR INTEREST AMONG NON-MAJORITY MUSLIM COUNTRIES

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (Bernama) -- The formulation of four modules of global
halal standards by the International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI) and the
Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), is expected to spur greater
interest in the halal industry, especially among non-majority Muslim countries.

IHI Chief Executive Officer Darhim D. Hashim said the move is a major
milestone in efforts towards harmonising the fragmented halal industry,
partricularly, four years after the IHI's establishment.

He said the modules would be the fundamental guidelines in assisting
the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) members to establish a
properly structured domestic halal assurance body and streamline certification
practices.

"The standards are also a starting point for foreign companies which are
clueless as to where to start. We see interest from non-majority Muslim
countries, which have begin to realise the potential of the halal industry," he
told reporters after the opening of the World Halal Forum 2010 here today.

When asked whether the modules would be adopted by OIC countries, he said
any adoption is voluntary.

"The modules can be easily adopted by industry players instead of
governments, which have to undertake a rigorous process of evaluation first.

"There is interest from mostly greenfield countries in the OIC to adopt
these modules, especially those, that do not have their own halal standards or
halal certification bodies," he explained.

Darhim said less than 10 countries in the OIC actually have their
own halal standards, certification and halal certification issuing bodies.

He said the ICCI-IHI alliance would not only offer standard modules to these
greenfield countries but also assist them in developing the overall process and
capacity building for their own halal certification and standards.

What make the modules different from Malaysia's Department of Islamic
Development's (Jakim) halal standard is that, it incorporates all four
schools of thought in Islamic practices.

Jakim on the other hand, only incorporated the Syafie school of thought.

The ICCI-IHI Alliance halal standard modules cater for specific
segments of the halal industry. The four published are, logistics,
food services, slaughtering and processing and animal welfare.

The four are part of 10 modules. Another four are still in the draft
stage and open for public response while two more, will be available before
the World Halal Forum next year.

The four drafts touch on laboratory testing and analysis, animal feed, food
processing and cosmetics and toiletries while another two, which are far
more complicated, touch on finance and pharmaceuticals.
-- BERNAMA


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