Industry News

The halal industry has more meaning than just its obvious customary characteristics.

The Halal authorization mark helps Muslims make the right choices in their daily lives and benefit others, who have no other order and are forced to follow conventions.

Malaysia has 13 halal standards.It is used not only for certifying food and food premises, but also for cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceuticals and logistics.

This further solidifies the country’s pioneering position in the global halal industry compared to many countries in the region, especially those with large Muslim populations.

Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil BidinMost countries are just beginning, or have yet to move beyond the food sector. Beyond the food and pharmaceutical sectors, Malaysian halal industry players have also been actively producing halal vaccines, health products (dietary supplements and medicinal food ingredients), and equipment used in medical procedures. These sectors have seen a variety of new products and developments. In the nutraceutical sector, there are some emerging large companies, such as Malaysian Chemicals, that produce halal supplements. In the services sector, the industry is focusing on halal logistics and healthcare, such as KPJ Medical Sdn Bhd, which has been providing halal treatment options to patients.

Malaysia is the only country in the world where the halal industry development agenda is supported by the government, which means that a unique ecosystem exists that allows for synergy between the private and public sectors.

Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin"In this ecosystem, we have private players focusing on production, manufacturing and services, while public institutions such as HDC and JAKIM Malaysia promote and coordinate the industry's progress by providing certification and training. You don't see this kind of collaboration anywhere else in the world. In most countries, private companies dominate their halal industries."

JAKIM Halal Centre director Datuk Sirajuddin SuhaimeeHe said that since 2014, Malaysia has been producing halal pharmaceuticals (HPs) under seven halal certification schemes, including food, logistics, manufacturing, cosmetics, slaughterhouses, consumer products (such as cosmetics), and pharmaceuticals. For each scheme, a dedicated team oversees the certification process and collaborates with the respective industries. For cosmetics, we work with the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery Association, while for manufacturing, we have the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. We work closely together, supporting each other and complementing each other. For example, when they face issues with pharmaceutical products, we work together to resolve them, particularly with the production of HPs, he said.

Sirajuddin also said the center has a committee of experts and researchers from higher education institutions that is studying all the controversies and issues the industry faces in meeting Malaysia's halal standards. Another committee will propose a first-of-its-kind pharmacopoeia (HPs encyclopedia), expected to be published in 2020. The pharmacopoeia will not only serve as a reference for industry players interested in producing HPs, but also as a guide for consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions.

Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said,The proactive efforts of halal industry players, including HDC, bode well for the country's economic growth, delivering healthy returns and creating jobs. Before HDC was established 10 years ago, everyone talked about certification, but that alone didn't bring economic returns because it was just a process. In the years since HDC's establishment, we've been able to see real returns to our economy through product sales and exports, job creation, and investment.

according toJamilAccording to the report, the halal industry contributes more than 7% to the country's GDP. It also exports halal products worth $42 billion, attracts $12 billion in investment, and creates nearly 250,000 jobs.

He said that despite comprehensive standards, the country's halal certification system still has room for improvement to maintain its leading position in the global halal industry. "Our system not only focuses on Islamic or Sharia requirements, but also addresses hygiene and safety aspects, which have long been part of our standards. However, the standards should also consider environmental issues, fair trade practices, and the prevention of child labor, reaching a level comparable to European standards. This is because the word 'toyyiban' in halal (toyyiban) means something good, so it also means something that benefits the environment and different areas of society."