Saudi government approves launch of national halal system

Saudi Arabia's government has approved the launch of the Kingdom’s national system for halal products.

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) will be in charge of receiving and accrediting halal certificates, state news agency SPA reported on October 1 following Cabinet approval.

“[SASO] has to demand from the exporting sources wishing to provide halal certificates and a certificate of sponsorship from the authority specified by the organization as it deems appropriate for each individual state,” reported SPA.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) will establish a halal center as an independent body to grant halal certificates, said SPA.

Saudi Arabia had been slowly introducing new rules for food imports into the Kingdom.

In August, Salaam Gateway reported that Bahrain was exploring a collaboration with Indonesia to establish a halal certification agency to help Bahraini exporters selling into Saudi Arabia. 

This followed Saudi Arabia's new food import rules that require international accreditation certificates such as ISO 22000 and HACCP, in addition to halal certification.

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