The Việt Nam Certification Centre (QUACERT) on Wednesday announced the establishment of Việt Nam Halal Certification Authority (HALCERT).

Its establishment, pursuant to Decision No 689/QĐ-TĐC of March 29, 2024, is a pivotal milestone in Việt Nam’s systematic development of its Halal industry. It aligns with the Prime Minister’s endorsed project aiming to enhance international collaboration for Việt Nam’s Halal industry until 2030.

HALCERT, operating under QUACERT, will oversee certification activities and facilitate discussions, training and international cooperation in the Halal sector.

Trần Quốc Dũng, QUACERT’s director,  highlighted the extensive research and consultation involved in HALCERT’s establishment which was undertaken from 2017.

He said in 2022-23, QUACERT spearheaded the formulation of standards for Halal certification bodies, subsequently published by the Ministry of Science and Technology as TCVN 13888:2023. This milestone serves as a crucial foundation for the establishment of HALCERT. He emphasised the authority has conducted comprehensive research, expert consultation and practical learning experience to design a customised model suitable for Việt Nam’s context.

Dato Tan Yang Thai, Malaysian Ambassador to Việt Nam stated that the timing of HALCERT's establishment aligns perfectly with Việt Nam's aim to enter the Halal market. He believed Việt Nam will have more opportunities to export halal certified products and penetrate into lucrative Muslims market which has more than 1.9 billion Muslim population around the world and with a value estimated to reach US$5 trillion by 2030.

“Some key advantages include Vietnamese halal products will gain enhanced reputation as Halal certification by a national competent authority can improve a business’s image and trust among consumers, indicating a commitment to quality and safety,” the ambassador said. — VNS