History
The 1.8 billion Muslims living in the world show a gradually increasing interest in the certification of halal products and services. In today’s world, the concept of halal is not only limited to food products. The textiles, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics as well as service sectors such as finance, logistics, and tourism are also within the scope of halal.
The fact that the concept of halal encompasses the features of health, hygiene and quality at every stage of the production of the product until it reaches the consumer, is an indication that the awareness in this field will be gaining momentum.
In addition to this, it is apparent that a common language between the Muslim countries has not yet been formed in halal certification. This dispersed structure of the halal certification practices lay the foundation for technical barriers to trade. With the acceleration in global halal trade, the existence of the various halal standards and certification schemes pave the way for the formation of technical barriers to trade.
Within this context, the Halal Accreditation Agency (HAK) was established to operate in the field of halal accreditation in Turkey and globally. The HAK, as the only authorized institution to accredit halal conformity assessment bodies in Turkey, aims to to represent Turkey in international platforms as regards to halal accreditation and to act as a pioneer in this sphere.
The fundamental duties of the Agency are as follows:
The fact that the concept of halal encompasses the features of health, hygiene and quality at every stage of the production of the product until it reaches the consumer, is an indication that the awareness in this field will be gaining momentum.
In addition to this, it is apparent that a common language between the Muslim countries has not yet been formed in halal certification. This dispersed structure of the halal certification practices lay the foundation for technical barriers to trade. With the acceleration in global halal trade, the existence of the various halal standards and certification schemes pave the way for the formation of technical barriers to trade.
Within this context, the Halal Accreditation Agency (HAK) was established to operate in the field of halal accreditation in Turkey and globally. The HAK, as the only authorized institution to accredit halal conformity assessment bodies in Turkey, aims to to represent Turkey in international platforms as regards to halal accreditation and to act as a pioneer in this sphere.
The fundamental duties of the Agency are as follows:
- To provide halal accreditation services to the halal conformity assessment bodies located both in Turkey and abroad, to determine and apply the criteria and measures related to halal accreditation.
- To represent Turkey either in regional or international accreditation unions and organizations.
- To conduct international relations in halal accreditation field and to sign bilateral or multilateral mutual recognition agreements.
- To create awareness about halal concept and certification, to conduct researches, trainings, international congresses, conventions and seminars.
Effective implementation of the duties of the HAK is crucial in terms of establishing a globally recognized halal certification system and overcoming technical barriers to trade in halal products and services. In this respect, The Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), which is as an affiliated body of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), stands for the most appropriate forum for the establishment and regulation of this system.
It is worth noting that the volume of halal certified trade can be increased by reducing the technical barriers to trade via increasing the effectiveness of OIC/SMIIC Standards, which were prepared with the contributions of OIC member states, and the realization of a harmonized accreditation scheme.
Consequently, the operations of the HAK are designated to result in the reduction of existing barriers to halal trade thereby revealing halal trade’s actual potential.