From October 21-24, 2024, the Commission for Standards, Metrology, and Quality (STAMEQ) hosted the International Conference under the theme “Harnessing Internal Resources, Enhancing International Cooperation to Boost Halal Development in Vietnam.” During the conference, STAMEQ leaders engaged with prominent global Halal organizations, including the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), Saudi Halal Center (SHC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Gulf Accreditation Center (GAC), and the Moroccan Institute for Standardization (IMANOR).

The working sessions featured Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, Acting Director General of STAMEQ, alongside leaders from the Conformity Certification Center (QUACERT) and the National Halal Certification Center (HALCERT). The discussions aimed to explore robust collaboration opportunities between Vietnam and international partners, promoting the Vietnamese Halal sector on a global scale.

Advancing Halal Standards and Collaboration with Islamic Nations

SMIIC Secretary General Ihsan Ovut expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s Halal development potential, commending STAMEQ’s efforts in establishing national TCVN standards aligned with the demands of Islamic markets. While acknowledging Vietnam’s capacity to meet Halal standards, Ovut voiced some concerns over potential challenges, given that Vietnam is not an Islamic nation.

Overviews of the meeting

In response to these concerns, Mr. Tran Quoc Dung, Director of QUACERT, emphasized, “Conformity certification activities in Vietnam, including Halal certification, are conducted under strict legal frameworks, with no negative influence from any individuals or entities, thereby ensuring full transparency and impartiality, in line with the standards of international quality accreditation bodies.”

Additionally, Mr. Ramlan Bin Osman, head of HALCERT, affirmed, “Halal certification activities in Vietnam will strictly adhere to Shari’ah law, as I, being a Muslim with extensive experience in the Halal field, am responsible for overseeing the center. Moreover, the certification process will also involve Vietnam’s Muslim community (acting as the Halal Council) to further ensure the highest levels of objectivity and transparency.”

SMIIC Leadership Engages with STAMEQ, QUACERT, and HALCERT

SMIIC representatives emphasized opportunities for closer collaboration with STAMEQ and HALCERT, particularly in the areas of certification accreditation and product certification. They also shared insights into the quality assessment processes that SMIIC has successfully implemented. Mr. Ihsan Ovut, along with the SMIIC team, expressed their readiness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with these agencies to elevate cooperation to a new level.

Delegates Take Commemorative Photos

Technology Transfer and Training from Saudi Halal Center (SHC)

During the session, Dr. Thamer Baazim and Dr. Yousef Alharbi, Deputy Directors of SHC, presented SHC’s advanced training programs and quality assessment systems, highlighting the use of automation technology in Halal certification processes in Saudi Arabia.

Overviews of the meeting

SHC expressed strong willingness to support HALCERT in technology transfer, workforce training, and enhancing Halal inspection capabilities, enabling Vietnam to adopt modern technologies and a qualified workforce that meet SHC’s current standards. Additionally, SHC aims to organize specialized workshops and training sessions in Vietnam to raise awareness of Halal among businesses and consumers, thereby building trust in Vietnamese Halal products.

Delegation from SFDA and SHC

Mr. Nawaf Saud D Albalawi, Head of International Relations at SFDA, expressed openness toward the potential for exporting Vietnamese Halal products to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. He and the SFDA team are prepared to connect certified Vietnamese businesses with key contacts in Saudi Arabia to foster collaboration and facilitate product trade.

SHC and SFDA Meet with STAMEQ, QUACERT, and HALCERT Leaders

Representatives from SFDA and SHC noted that while there are currently multiple private companies involved in Halal certification in Vietnam, the establishment of HALCERT, a state-managed Halal certification authority, reflects the Vietnamese government’s strategic vision for Halal. They suggested that the government should aim to set a unified standard for the Halal certification market in Vietnam, ensuring maximum integrity for Halal products and services.

Delegates capturing commemorative moments

Affirming GAC’s Role in Recognizing Vietnam’s Halal Certification

During the meeting, the Gulf Accreditation Center (GAC) emphasized the importance of collaboration between Vietnam and Islamic countries in the Halal sector. With extensive experience in supporting Islamic nations in building standardized and internationally recognized Halal certification systems, GAC expressed its readiness to share its established, globally approved assessment processes. GAC Director General Moteb Al-Mezani stated “Vietnam could become a strategic partner in the Halal sector for Gulf countries by further advancing its standards and Halal certification capabilities.”

GAC also suggested aligning Vietnam’s TCVN standards with the GSO standards, widely adopted across Islamic nations and affiliated bodies like SMIIC. Furthermore, the training programs GAC offers to Vietnam’s experts aim to enhance their assessment capabilities, advancing them towards GAC accreditation.

GAC Director General Meets with Leaders of STAMEQ, QUACERT, and HALCERT

In light of both HALCERT and GAC being government-managed agencies, GAC representatives highlighted the importance for HALCERT to avoid conflicts of interest while working toward establishing a unified standard across Vietnam's Halal certification service market.

Delegates capturing commemorative moments

IMANOR's Role in Supporting Halal Exports to North Africa

Mr. Abderrahim Taibi, Director of the Moroccan Institute for Standardization (IMANOR), emphasized IMANOR’s readiness to collaborate with Vietnam in developing Halal standards, particularly for food and cosmetics exports to the North African market. He noted that Halal standards are not only technical requirements but also essential in building trust and enhancing the brand value of Vietnamese products in this region.

IMANOR Director and Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam Meet with STAMEQ and HALCERT Leaders

IMANOR, with extensive experience in Halal training and certification in the region and recognition by leading Halal authorities such as JAKIM (Malaysia), is committed to supporting HALCERT in quality assessment, training, and brand building for Vietnam’s Halal sector. This collaboration aims to facilitate the access and growth of Vietnamese Halal products in global markets, particularly in Africa. These aspirations were strongly endorsed by Mr. Ahmed Ait Aissa, Deputy Head of Mission at the Moroccan Embassy in Vietnam, who was also present at the meeting.

Delegates capturing commemorative photos

With the support of esteemed international partners, these sessions have opened new prospects for Vietnam’s Halal industry, bringing the nation closer to its goals of sustainable development and deeper integration into the global Halal value chain.

Hong Quan – Vietnam Certification Center (QUACERT)