Obtaining HALAL certification in Manila may be necessary for your business, mainly if you are a small or medium-sized business. Currently, there are nine HALAL-certifying bodies in the Philippines.
HALAL-certifying bodies in Philippines.
Even though the Philippines is predominantly Christian, more and more Islamic people are finding their way to the country. As a result, demand for HALAL-certified products in the country has increased. As such, the government enacted a state-sanctioned program to facilitate the certification of goods.
Congress approved Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act (PHEDRA) on July 27, 2015. The new law was enacted to promote the Halal industries’ growth and Philippine Halal exports. The new law provides for a comprehensive set of targets and activities. The law also recognizes Halal industries’ contribution to the economy’s development.
The Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) is mandated to handle the accreditation of certification bodies. This agency will consult the Halal Board in granting or denying accreditation. It will work in collaboration with other agencies and the private sector to enhance the capabilities of Halal certification bodies.
The Philippine Trade Training Center is a DTI-attached agency that helps the Halal certification bodies update their standards. It also conducts capacity-building programs for food enterprises.
The Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines is a non-profit organization formed in 1981. It was established to address the concerns of Muslims in the country. To comply with the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology requirements, the IDCP has developed a Quality Management System per ISO/IEC 17065:2012.
Small and medium-sized businesses should get HALAL certification in Manila.
Getting a halal certification in Manila may seem difficult. But there are many ways to go about it.
The first step is to research the topic. Reading the Ministry of Islamic Affairs handbook gives you a general understanding of halal certification. However, you can also find more detailed information by conducting a survey.
The Philippine government has a state-sanctioned program to make it easier for businesses to get halal certification. In December 2018, the Philippines became a full member of the International Halal Accreditation Forum. The Forum is a network of countries that enforce universal halal standards.
In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry has recognized six local halal certifiers. These include Prime, Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Philippines, and the Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board.
The Department of Trade and Industry has also introduced the Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016. This act provides several training modules for Halal exporters. It also encourages small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the industry.
While the Philippines is a predominantly Christian nation, the country has an estimated five million Muslims. The majority live in the province of Mindanao. These Muslim Filipinos struggle to deal with misconceptions about them.
Although the halal industry is a growing sector, it is still untapped in the Philippines. There is a significant opportunity to tap the global Muslim market. But this will require more establishments to cater to Muslim dietary requirements.
ASEAN countries have similarities and differences in practising HALAL
Southeast Asia has similarities and differences in practising halal despite its geographical proximity to the East and West. For instance, Islam is the state religion in Brunei, Singapore, and Indonesia, but not Thailand. However, Muslims are a minority in these countries.
Although “halal” is used frequently, it is not a universally accepted term in these countries. Nonetheless, the concept has its merits. For instance, Malaysia is one of the world’s largest producers of halal cosmetics. It is also home to a significant halal pharmaceutical industry. The Malaysian Trade Description Act requires that imported food be labelled as halal.
Several notable factors have contributed to the growth of the halal industry. One is the technological advances that have resulted in halal-certified products gaining ground in the market. Another is the rise of economic development in the region. This has resulted in a significant increase in Muslim expenditures, especially on food and drink. The Quran mandates that Muslims seek treatment for diseases. This is not always easy, but the latest technologies have made it simpler.
The other important factor in the halal equation is its ability to maintain good relations with non-Muslim neighbours. For instance, Singapore’s population is less than 10 per cent Muslim. Traditionally, Muslim communities view the markets as places to make a profit. But with a growing economy and increasing competition from other Asian countries, keeping up with the pack is becoming more challenging.
