Standards and Certification: Keys to Entering the Halal Market

Many favorable conditions for Halal industry development

On December 20, the Conformity Certification Center (QUACERT) under the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality in collaboration with the Institute for African and Middle East Studies (IAMES) under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences organized a workshop: "Standards and Certification: The Key to Participating in the Halal Market", with the aim of promoting the development of the Halal industry in Vietnam according to Decision No. 10/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister issued on February 14, 2023 on the Project "Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam's Halal industry by 2030".

Tiêu chuẩn và chứng nhận: Chìa khóa để tham gia thị trường Halal

Workshop “Standards and Certification: The Key to Entering the Halal Market” (Photo: Tuan Anh)

The workshop shared the importance of standardization and conformity assessment in promoting Vietnam's participation in the global Halal market in a sustainable manner; at the same time, exchanged and assessed the current situation and prospects of the Halal industry in Vietnam; identified new measures and methods to enhance cooperation and utilize international resources to enhance the capacity of Vietnamese enterprises to participate in the production and supply chains of Halal products and services globally and build a comprehensive and sustainable development orientation for Vietnam's Halal industry.

The Halal market is considered a potential market and an opportunity for Vietnam in developing the Halal industry.

Sharing about the main growth drivers of this market, Associate Professor Dr. Dinh Cong Hoang, Institute for African and Middle Eastern Studies (IAMES) emphasized that the Halal market is large, reaching 2,200 billion USD in 2020 and expected to reach 3,200 billion USD in 2025. The market has potential with an annual growth rate of 6.2%.

In addition, Muslim GDP per capita increased by 4.2% to 2024; Muslim population is large and growing, reaching 2 billion people in 2023; expected to reach 2.3 billion people in 2030; accounting for 1/3 of the world population.

The forecasted increase in each specific region is as follows: North America is expected to increase by 50%, reaching 300 million USD in 2030; Europe and Eurasia are expected to increase by 67%, reaching 500 million USD in 2030; Asia Pacific is expected to increase by 75%, reaching 2,800 million USD in 2030.

Middle East and North Africa: expected to increase by 50%, reaching 1,200 million USD in 2030. Sub-Saharan Africa: expected to increase by 100%, reaching 400 million USD in 2030.

Compared to other countries in the region, Vietnam has many favorable conditions to develop the Halal industry with a favorable geographical location, many strengths in agriculture, food, tourism, services, etc.; a large market and deep and comprehensive international integration when participating in many leading economic linkages in the region, including new generation free trade agreements. In particular, the Vietnamese Government is interested in opening up and supporting Vietnamese enterprises to effectively participate in the global Halal market.

National Halal Certification Center to be established

However, Vietnamese enterprises face certain difficulties in producing and exporting Halal products. In addition to the cost of investing in production lines and equipment to produce Halal products, enterprises also face difficulties in finding information about Halal market culture, Halal standards, Halal certification processes and especially obtaining diverse Halal certifications, suitable for the specific requirements of each market.

Signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Center for Certification of Conformity (QUACERT) and the Institute for Africa and Middle East Studies (Photo: Tuan Anh)

With the aim of supporting businesses in accessing accurate information about the requirements of Halal standards of the markets as well as the requirements for Halal certification, in the near future, the General Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality will establish a National Halal Certification Center.

This will be the official national certification body providing Halal certification services for products, goods and services; organizing, training and coaching on Halal standards and requirements for Vietnamese organizations/enterprises in accordance with the export market of Vietnamese products and goods; and implementing international cooperation activities in the Halal field to dialogue policies, enhance the provision of market information for associations and enterprises, and promote business connections.

In addition, the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality, Ministry of Science and Technology continues to research and complete the national standards for Halal products and services on the basis of harmonization with international, regional and importing country standards. The national standards system will support Vietnamese enterprises to access information and understand regulatory requirements for Halal markets and products and services.

To date, Vietnam has issued 5 national standards TCVN in the Halal field, including: TCVN 12944:2020 Halal food - General requirements; TCVN 13708:2023 Good agricultural practices for Halal production facilities; TCVN 13709:2023 Halal animal feed; TCVN 13710:2023 Halal food - Requirements for animal slaughter; TCVN 13888:2023 Conformity assessment - Requirements for organizations certifying Halal products, processes and services.

The standards are built on the basis of harmonization with popular standards such as: CODEX CXG 24-1997 General Guidelines for Use of the Term Halal, Malaysian Standard MS 1500:2019 Halal Food - General requirements, GSO 2215:2012, Good Agricultural Practices (Gulf Regional Standard), UAE.S 2055 -1:2015 Halal products - Part 1 - General requirements for Halal food (United Arab Emirates Standard).

Associate Professor, Dr. Dinh Cong Hoang said that, in addition to effectively implementing the National Project "Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam's Halal industry by 2030" (Decision No. 10/QD-TTg dated February 14, 2023), it is necessary to raise awareness of people, businesses, governments, and localities in Vietnam about the potential of the Halal market.

At the same time, promote "Economic Diplomacy" with Muslim countries, study the signing of FTAs between Vietnam and potential Halal markets (CEPT with UAE...), take advantage of regional agreements (AfCFTA, OIC, GCC...).

Establish a Halal management agency in Vietnam and implement activities of standardization, testing, and granting Halal certification to businesses and experts, and sign mutual recognition agreements with Muslim countries (OIC, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, etc.)

On the other hand, establishing a Halal ecosystem (production, services, national quality infrastructure, human resources, finance, etc.), attracting both FDI and domestic Halal investment, promoting the development of the Halal industry in priority areas (food, agricultural products, tourism, garment, etc.). Promoting digital transformation and e-commerce to export to the Halal market

Within the framework of the Workshop, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony took place between the Conformity Certification Center (QUACERT) and the Institute of African and Middle Eastern Studies with the aim of developing knowledge, building standards, certification services, international cooperation on Halal for organizations, businesses, students and various government agencies to enhance understanding and practice of Halal based on the capacity and knowledge of each party.

The cooperation contents include: Researching and developing strategies and implementation plans to promote the Halal Ecosystem in Vietnam; researching and participating in building national quality infrastructure for the Halal industry, focusing on building a system of standards and certifications on Halal; implementing programs to disseminate knowledge, training, consulting, conferences, seminars and market connections, building brands, positioning, and marketing Halal for organizations and businesses operating in the Halal industry and other interested parties; promoting international cooperation and support resources from countries with developed Halal markets; Joint cooperation in areas related to the Halal industry.

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