The Sri Lanka Standards Institution has officially recognized the Halal Assessment Council (HAC) for its outstanding contribution to national quality standards, marking a significant milestone for halal certification in the country. Hon. Minister Professor Chrishantha Abeysena presented the prestigious award to HAC representatives, including Manager Ash Sheikh Abdul-Basith, acknowledging their commitment to maintaining rigorous halal standards across various industries.
Recognition Strengthens Halal Certification Framework
This recognition by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution represents a crucial validation of the Halal Assessment Council's role in ensuring quality halal products and services throughout Sri Lanka. The award ceremony highlighted the organization's dedication to implementing comprehensive halal standards that align with both national quality requirements and international best practices.
The Halal Assessment Council has been instrumental in developing robust certification processes that serve both local consumers and international markets. Their work encompasses various sectors including food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and hospitality services, ensuring that halal-certified products meet stringent quality and religious compliance standards.
Impact on Sri Lanka's Export Economy
The recognition comes at a strategic time when Sri Lanka is actively seeking to expand its presence in global halal markets. With the worldwide halal market valued at over $2 trillion annually, this acknowledgment positions Sri Lanka's halal certification system as more credible and internationally competitive.
Local manufacturers and exporters benefit significantly from having a nationally recognized halal certification body. The HAC's enhanced credibility through this award is expected to facilitate easier market access for Sri Lankan halal products in Muslim-majority countries across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other regions where halal certification is mandatory.
The tourism sector also stands to gain from this development, as halal-certified hotels, restaurants, and service providers can now market themselves with greater confidence to Muslim travelers, tapping into the growing halal tourism market segment.
Quality Assurance and Consumer Trust
The Sri Lanka Standards Institution's recognition underscores the HAC's commitment to maintaining transparent and reliable certification processes. This validation enhances consumer trust in halal-certified products, both domestically and internationally, as buyers can be assured that certified products have undergone rigorous evaluation by a nationally recognized authority.
The award reflects the HAC's implementation of comprehensive quality management systems, regular auditing processes, and continuous improvement initiatives that align with international halal standards. These measures ensure that certified products consistently meet both religious requirements and quality expectations.
Strengthening National Standards Framework
This recognition integrates halal certification more firmly into Sri Lanka's broader national quality standards framework. The collaboration between the Sri Lanka Standards Institution and the Halal Assessment Council creates synergies that benefit the entire quality assurance ecosystem in the country.
The partnership enables knowledge sharing, best practice exchanges, and coordinated approaches to quality improvement across different certification domains. This integration helps establish Sri Lanka as a regional hub for quality certification services, potentially attracting international businesses seeking reliable certification partners.
Future Implications and Opportunities
The award opens new avenues for the Halal Assessment Council to expand its services and reach. With enhanced credibility comes increased responsibility to maintain and improve standards continuously. The recognition may lead to mutual recognition agreements with halal certification bodies in other countries, facilitating trade and reducing certification barriers for Sri Lankan exporters.
Educational institutions and training programs focusing on halal certification and quality management are likely to benefit from this development, as demand for qualified professionals in this field continues to grow. The recognition also positions Sri Lanka to host international conferences and workshops on halal standards and certification practices.
Industry Response and Stakeholder Benefits
The business community has welcomed this recognition as it provides additional assurance to international buyers about the reliability of Sri Lankan halal certification. Food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and service providers can now leverage this enhanced credibility to negotiate better terms with international partners and access previously challenging markets.
Religious communities also benefit from this development, as the national recognition ensures that halal certification processes maintain strict adherence to Islamic principles while meeting modern quality standards. This balance between religious authenticity and contemporary quality requirements addresses the needs of diverse stakeholder groups.
The recognition of the Halal Assessment Council by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution represents more than just an award – it signifies the maturation of Sri Lanka's halal certification ecosystem and its integration into the national quality framework. This development positions the country strategically in the global halal economy while ensuring that local consumers and international buyers can trust the integrity of halal-certified products and services from Sri Lanka.