by AKMAR ANNUAR
MALAYSIA is strengthening its halal standards and technical cooperation with overseas certification bodies as new food technologies and increasingly complex global supply chains create fresh regulatory challenges.
The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee (picture) said the Global Halal Summit 2026 (GHaS 2026) would bring together regulators, certification bodies, researchers and industry representatives to address gaps in governance and technical capabilities.
Instead of functioning primarily as a trade exhibition, the summit’s regulatory programmes will focus on how halal authorities respond to emerging products, scientific developments and differing requirements across jurisdictions.
“GHaS 2026 serves as a vital global platform to unite halal authorities, certification bodies, academia and industry leaders under a shared vision of integrity and innovation,” Sirajuddin said at a press conference on Aug 24.
The summit will be anchored by the Halal Certification Bodies Convention (HCBC) and International Halal Technical Capacity Development Programme (IHTCDP), both scheduled for Sept 22 and 23.
The HCBC, themed “Shariah and Integrity: Empowering Halal Ecosystem”, will examine contemporary matters such as the use of alcohol in food and beverage products, cultured meat, vaccine certification and emerging fiqh issues.
It will also cover shariah auditing, Islamic finance, import and export regulations and the recognition of foreign halal certification bodies.
These areas have become increasingly relevant as ingredients, production processes and supply chains cross multiple jurisdictions before reaching consumers.
The growing use of biotechnology and alternative ingredients has also created products that may not fit neatly within existing certification frameworks, requiring scientific assessment alongside shariah deliberation.
Sirajuddin said halal rules could not remain unchanged while manufacturing methods and industry practices continued to evolve.
“The standard is not static. Technologies change every single day,” he said.
Malaysia’s halal system is distinguished by direct government involvement in certification and enforcement, as well as audits intended to safeguard compliance among certified businesses.
However, preserving that position requires standards to be reviewed as industries adopt new ingredients, production techniques and traceability systems.
Sirajuddin said JAKIM periodically evaluates its standards to ensure that certification requirements remain relevant to current commercial practices.
“That is why every five years, we upgrade our standard. We update it to the latest technology used by the industry,” he said.
The IHTCDP will provide more practical technical training across food and beverages, food services, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and halal logistics.
Its sessions will cover Malaysian Halal Certification requirements, assurance systems, critical ingredients, sampling and laboratory analysis, crisis management and traceability.
The programme is intended to help overseas certification bodies understand Malaysia’s procedures and improve technical consistency across different markets.
This is particularly important for imported products because JAKIM does not directly certify every foreign manufacturing facility supplying the Malaysian market.
Instead, it recognises qualified foreign halal certification bodies that meet its requirements, making the quality and consistency of those organisations an integral part of Malaysia’s halal assurance system.
Greater alignment can also reduce uncertainty for exporters, which may otherwise face different documentation, audit and labelling requirements when entering multiple markets.
Besides JAKIM, GHaS 2026 will involve the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, MATRADE, Halal Development Corporation Bhd and the Department of Standards Malaysia.
The Islamic Tourism Centre and Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Halal Products Research Institute will contribute expertise in tourism, research and innovation.
The summit will also incorporate the World Halal Business Conference, public consultation sessions on the draft MS2807 sertu standard and the Malaysia International Halal Research and Education Conference.
Together, the programmes position halal governance as a wider ecosystem involving regulators, scientists, universities, businesses and trade agencies rather than certification being handled by a single institution.
For businesses, the strength of Malaysia’s halal mark can influence consumer acceptance and provide a point of differentiation in overseas markets.
Halal is also increasingly associated with product safety, hygiene, quality and transparent processes among both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers.
Sirajuddin said the international reputation already established by Malaysia’s certification system must be continually protected as the industry expands into more complex product categories.
“The understanding and trust are already there. So we need to maintain this and upgrade it,” he said.
The commercial dimension of GHaS 2026 will be provided by the Malaysia International Halal Showcase, which will take place from Sept 23 to 26 at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur.
While the showcase connects exporters with buyers, the summit’s certification and capacity-building programmes are intended to reinforce the regulatory foundation supporting those transactions.
The arrangement reflects Malaysia’s broader strategy of using credible standards, technical knowledge and government oversight to strengthen its standing in the international halal economy.