Malaysia Introduces New Halal Pharmaceuticals Standard

Malaysia introduced a new standard for Halal pharmaceuticals today in a move to strengthen the integrity within the manufacturing and servicing of medicines and health supplements.

The new Malaysian Standard MS 2424:2010 (P): Halal Pharmaceuticals: General Guidelines will address the entire pharmaceuticals industry’s supply chain – from processing to handling, packaging, labelling, distribution, storage and display of medicines and health supplements.

In accordance to the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) processes, a public consultation forum was held today to review the newly developed MS, in an event held in Kuala Lumpur which attracted more than 100 participants from the industry.

As of 31 January 2011, Standards Malaysia has produced a total of 6,344 MS'es.

Developed by the Industry Standards Committee on Halal Standard (ISC-I), the document has undergone every consensus-based processes with all the relevant parties including the Government, private sector, NGOs, researchers and professional bodies, as set out by ISO.

Various organisations made up the working committee of ISC-I, including Standards Malaysia, JAKIM, the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH), the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), the National Pharmaceutical Bureau (NPCB), the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI),the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC), SIRIM Berhad, higher learning institutions as well as the private sector.

The new Halal pharmaceutical standard, codenamed MS2424:2010, is a general guideline that describes the requirements and critical areas in the manufacturing and handling for Halal pharmaceuticals. This national standard aims to serve as the basic document of reference for production purposes.

The introduction comes on the back of Malaysia’s current campaign to incorporate Halal considerations towards achieving an integrated Halal lifestyle, and also in line with the Strategic Reform Initiatives (SRI) for the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), where standards have been identified as one of the drivers that can propel economic activities to transform and grow the Malaysian economy.

In 2008, US-based consulting company IMS Health Inc. estimated that the global pharmaceutical market is worth approximately US$770 billion a year. With a conservative growth rate of between 4.5-5.5%, this forecast value can easily exceed US$820 billion a year, a trend which is expected to continue growing between 4-6% beginning this year through till 2013.

Malaysia currently exports its pharmaceutical products to the surrounding ASEAN countries including in Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam and Thailand, which accounts for approximately 50% of the total products’ value. According to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), total value for the overall pharmaceutical industry in Malaysia amounted to RM814.2 million in 2009, an increase of 43.6 per cent from RM567.1 million in the previous year.

Malaysia, a member of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (jointly referred to as PIC/S) has greater access to key export markets including Europe, Canada and Australia. Malaysia is also the only OIC country that enjoys PIC/S visibility, making the newly introduced Halal Pharmaceutical standard even more significant, and in line with Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) for Healthcare.

Other potential export destinations that have yet to be fully explored and penetrated include the US, Germany, Hong Kong SAR and Chinese Taipei.

Adapted from Press Release.

Towards a Halal Economy – the power of values in global marketsTowards a Halal Economy – the power of values in global markets

In the past five years, Halal has become a global issue. Halal now plays a role in government policies, multinational corporate strategies, SME development, R&D and marketing. And more. Halal has a major impact in the food sector and beyond affecting manufacturing, retail, restaurant, travel and hospitality sectors. Halal is increasingly an factor in health, safety, labelling and quality control issues all over the world.

The Halal markets are here to stay, and they are expanding faster than their mainstream counterparts.

The World Halal Forum, through its affiliate, the International Halal Integrity Alliance, continues to make significant progress in the ongoing task of developing standards and best practices to promote integrity throughout the Halal supply chain.

For 2011, the WHF is going back to its roots to bring a renewed spirit of creative vision and inspiration to the wider Halal market. As we enter a new decade, we recognise the formulation of a new chapter of development for the Halal sector.

In the words of the Malaysian Prime Minister, YAB Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak, “We need to think beyond industries and move into the larger realm of a Halal Economy…a value-based economy rooted in trust, integrity and fairness”

The twin pillars of this Halal Economy are the Halal products sector and the Islamic Financial services sector. The convergence of these two Shariah-based industries forms a strong economic platform that is built on shared set values –values that will play an increasingly strategic role in shaping global markets in the coming decade.

Under the theme “Towards a Halal Economy – The Power of Values in Global Markets” the WHF 2011 will be highlighting thought-leaders from around the world in various sectors of the broader Halal market arena. Sessions for WHF 2011 will focus on:

• The inevitable convergence of the Halal and Islamic Finance sectors, and the impact this will have on both sides over the coming decade.
• Case studies examining how to position products that reflect Halal values in the mainstream marketplace.
• Dealing with diversity: regional Halal-related trends and issues in a global marketplace.
• Halal values in print, on TV and online. The role of conventional, digital and social media in shaping consumer perceptions as well as providing access to 1.7billion potential customers.
• How the rise of Halal-friendly travel is revolutionising the hospitality, tourism and MICE industries.
• Progress reports and new directions for the World Halal Forum’s global network, including updates on WHF London and IHI Alliance projects.
• Leaders Panel discussion on the steps needed to move towards a Halal economy

The WHF network has been shaping the global Halal-related markets since 2006. For anyone interested in how the Halal markets and industries around the world are likely to develop over the coming decade, the World Halal Forum 2011 will bring that vision within reach.

Come and share the vision.

Click the following link to download the latest World Halal Forum 2011 programmehttp://www.worldhalalforum.org/download.htmlClick the following link to download the latest World Halal Forum 2011 programmehttp://www.worldhalalforum.org/download.html

JAKIM: 366 Hotel, Resort Disah Halal

PUTRAJAYA, 23 Feb — Sebanyak 366 hotel dan resort di seluruh negara telah menerima Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia setakat ini, kata Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

Beliau berkata daripada jumlah itu, 77 sijil dikeluarkan Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) manakala 289 lagi dikeluarkan Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri-Negeri (Jain).

“Daripada 366 hotel dan resort tersebut, 273 buah iaitu 74.59 peratus adalah hotel bertaraf tiga hingga lima bintang, 53 buah atau 14.48 peratus bertaraf satu hingga dua bintang, manakala 40 buah iaitu 10.93 peratus hotel bajet yang ada perkhidmatan sajian dan resort yang ada perkhidmatan sajian tanpa penginapan,” katanya kepada pemberita, di sini hari ini.

Jamil Khir sebelum itu menyampaikan Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia kepada Hotel Pullman dan Hotel Thistle.

Berdasarkan rekod, terdapat 1,574 hotel dan resort di negara ini yang berdaftar dengan Kementerian Pelancongan, yang mana 412 adalah bertaraf tiga hingga lima bintang.

Jamil Khir berkata kesemua 412 hotel bertaraf tiga hingga lima bintang itu disasar memiliki sijil halal menjelang akhir tahun ini.

Jakim dan Jain kini menjalinkan kerjasama dengan Kementerian Pelancongan, Persatuan Hotel Malaysia (MAH) dan Persatuan Pemilik Hotel Malaysia (Maho) untuk mencapai sasaran tersebut, katanya.

“Sijil ini juga merupakan salah satu strategi pemasaran kerana ia dapat menambahkan keyakinan pelanggan termasuk pelancong terutama dari Timur Tengah.

“Ini kerana pakej halal ini bukan sahaja mengenai bahan yang digunakan dalam sesuatu makanan, tetapi juga proses penyediaan makanan tersebut dari mula sehingga akhir termasuk dari segi penyimpanan dan kebersihan,” katanya.

Jamil berkata semua hotel dan resort yang ingin mengadakan program berbuka puasa pada bulan Ramadan juga perlu mempunyai Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia.

Maklumat lanjut berkenaan pensijilan halal Jakim serta senarai pemegang Sijil Halal Malaysia yang dikeluarkan oleh Jakim dan Jain boleh didapati di portal halal Malaysia di www.halal.gov.my, katanya. — Bernama

Hanya 2 Logo Halal Diiktiraf

Logo Halal JAKIM

Logo Halal Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri

SEREMBAN 17 Feb. - Hanya dua jenis tanda halal yang diiktiraf oleh kerajaan negeri iaitu logo Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) dan logo yang dikeluarkan oleh jabatan agama Islam negeri-negeri.

Jurucakap Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Negeri Sembilan (JHEAINS) berkata, terdapat juga logo halal antarabangsa yang telah mendapat akreditasi Jakim dan boleh dijadikan panduan oleh umat Islam di negeri ini ketika membeli atau menggunakan sesuatu produk atau perkhidmatan.

Selain daripada logo-logo berkenaan, katanya, umat Islam boleh mengelak daripada membeli barangan yang mempunyai tanda halal yang dipertikaikan sebagai jalan terbaik ketika berdepan dengan masalah untuk menentukan kesahihan sesuatu produk atau perkhidmatan.

"Sebagai langkah proaktif, umat Islam boleh menyemak status halal sesuatu produk melalui laman web http://www.ns.gov.my/jabatan/jheains/ atau http://www.halal.gov.my/v2/ yang mempunyai direktori tanda halal dan produk halal," katanya ketika dihubungi hari ini.

Beliau diminta mengulas mengenai laporan Utusan Malaysia hari ini mengenai tinjauan di beberapa buah pasar raya di sekitar daerah Jempol yang mendapati hampir 30 peratus barang yang dijual mempunyai logo halal yang mengelirukan.

Ia termasuk logo yang berwarna berbentuk bintang yang mempunyai bucu, bulat dan tiga segi.

Laporan itu menggesa pihak berkuasa bertindak bagi mengelakkan umat Islam daripada terpedaya dengan logo halal palsu sesuatu barangan.

Jurucakap itu berkata, sehingga kini, pihaknya belum menerima aduan daripada pengguna di negeri ini yang mempertikaikan logo halal sesuatu produk.

Beliau berkata, pihaknya atau beberapa pihak berkuasa lain akan mengambil tindakan yang sewajarnya berdasarkan peruntukan undang-undang sekiranya terdapat aduan daripada orang ramai mengenai logo halal yang disyaki palsu.

Sumber: Utusan Online

World Halal Forum to Unveil Halal 2.0

The World Halal Forum (WHF) is now a Not For Profit entity, coming into its own, working hand in hand with the International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI) who is the global Halal authority. WHF is now an organisation by the members for its members and the agenda to be set by the members. This change been effected after extensive consultation with all Halal Stakeholders. WHF will be institutionalised as a NGO taking on the role of a change agent, shifting the dynamics of the global Halal industry as it stands.

The World Halal Forum, now in its 6th year, is the world’s most sought after premier Halal industry event and has a proven track record as a crucial platform that plays a major role in determining the direction of the global Halal industry.

“World Halal Forum has been one of the main flagship brands for KasehDia and we are proud to see how in the course of 5 years, the World Halal Forum has tackled issues, identified opportunities and become the beacon of knowledge and a catalytic force of change in the global Halal industry. It is timely then that we elevate this platform into one that is non-profit, a move that will allow the brand to propagate change on a different level altogether, working within the support system and the strong international network of IHI Alliance”, said Jumaatun Azmi, Founder and Managing Director of KasehDia Sdn Bhd.

In recent years, the WHF has focused primarily on issues related to certification and standards development, and this important work continues to be developed by the International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI) in collaboration with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the Organisation of Islamic Conference.

“Taking ownership of World Halal Forum and steering it in its new direction of offering solutions and executing an action plan is definitely within our area of expertise and we hope to give this event a leg up with our international network and resources. It is indeed an honour to be handed the baton and with that the onus to start a new chapter in the direction of the Halal industry”, said Darhim Hashim, CEO of International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI Alliance).

This year, the World Halal Forum is being held from 4 - 5 April, at KL Convention Centre, with the theme “Towards a Halal Economy: The Power of Values in Global Markets”.

In the words of the Malaysian Prime Minister, YAB Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak, “We need to think beyond industries and move into the larger realm of a Halal Economy…a value-based economy rooted in trust, integrity and fairness.”

The twin pillars of this Halal Economy are the Halal products sector and the Islamic Financial services sector. The convergence of these two Shariah-based industries forms a strong economic platform that is built on a shared set of values – values that will play an increasingly strategic role in shaping global markets in the coming decade.

“This is a first step in what we term as Halal 2.0 where one of the biggest shifts that we are going to see over the coming decade will be the interaction between the Halal sector and Islamic finance. This is inevitable – they are the two great Shariah-compliant business sectors, and yet there is currently little or no interaction between them. The merging of these two sectors will give rise to areas of new growth and wealth creation”, said Abdalhamid Evans, Director of World Halal Forum.

“In addition, we will be focusing on consumer needs and business opportunities, and looking at the way new ‘value-driven’ markets are emerging all over the world that have a strong synergy with the Islamic values in the Halal sector”, he added.

Under the theme “Towards a Halal Economy: The Power of Values in Global Markets” the WHF 2011 will be highlighting thought-leaders from around the world in various sectors of the broader Halal market arena. Sessions for WHF 2011 will focus on:

·         The inevitable convergence of the Halal and Islamic Finance sectors, and the impact this will have on both sides over the coming decade.

·         Case studies examining how to position products that reflect Halal values in the mainstream marketplace.

·         Dealing with diversity: regional Halal-related trends and issues in a global marketplace.

·         Halal values in print, on TV and online. The role of conventional, digital and social media in shaping consumer perceptions as well as providing access to 1.7 billion potential customers.

·         How the rise of Halal-friendly travel is revolutionising the hospitality, tourism and MICE industries.

·         Progress reports and new directions for the World Halal Forum’s global network, including updates on WHF London and IHI Alliance projects.

 Over 900 delegates made up of business leaders, industry players, thought leaders, scholars and government officials are expected to attend the World Halal Forum which is part of the week-long ‘Halal Malaysia Week’ initiative which is a private-public sector collaboration between the World Halal Forum Secretariat (World Halal Forum, 4 ­ 5 April 2011), MATRADE (International Halal Showcase or MIHAS, 6 -­ 9 April) and HDC (World Halal Research Summit, 6-7 April 2011).

World Halal Forum Secretariat - www.halaljournal.com