Malaysia simplifies halal certification process, aims for 23-day approval

The Malaysia Halal Industry Development Council has announced its intent to trim halal certification process to 23 working days. 

The injunction, expected to begin early next year, will help streamline the halal certification application and renewal process.

The existing procedures are time-consuming, with approval and issuance often taking anywhere from nine months to two years.

In a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid emphasized the need for expeditious reform in response to mounting complaints. He disclosed that the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and the Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) would collaborate closely to bring about this transformative change.

One of the primary reasons for the lengthy process was the difficulties faced by many micro, small, and medium enterprises (PMKS) applicants in meeting the strict requirements set by the Jakim halal certification division.

These requirements, while crucial for compliance, could be costly and time-consuming, especially for smaller businesses. To address this issue, the new system will aim to make the requirements more accessible for PMKS and provide additional support for businesses seeking certification.

To address these issues, the deputy PM announced that HDC and relevant stakeholders would initiate a new halal certificate application process through a "proof of concept" (POC) approach. This pilot program will initially involve five hotel premises situated in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan. The purpose of this POC phase is to assess the feasibility and efficiency of the revised process.

"Within two months, we will implement the POC, and following its success, we will transition to the 23 working days as the new benchmark for issuing halal certification," the deputy PM stated.