To kick off Halal Certification process, a committee must be form in the company to facilitate anything and everything to do with Halal in the company. The Halal Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that products and services comply with Islamic dietary laws (Halal) and adhere to the ethical and religious standards set forth by Islam. According to Manual Prosedur Pensijilan Halal Malaysia (Domestik) 2020 (MPPHM 2020) Part IV Item 20 Certification Requirement, The Halal Committee should be established for each company and/or branch that has different operational management. Halal Committee only required for medium to large sizes of business only, meanwhile for micro to small size of business only required to established Internal Halal Control System (IHCS) with at least one Halal Supervisor. So, who need to be in this committee?
*The above statement is taken from MPPHM(Domestik) 2020
1. The Chairman
The Chairman serves as the leader of the Halal Committee, providing strategic direction and overseeing its operations. These personnel have to be from the top management for example like CEO, COO and such. The chairman is responsible to provide leadership and guidance to the committee members and develop a strategic plan for implementing and maintaining Halal standards. They also need to acts as the face of the committee in dealings with stakeholders, authorities, and the public. Last but not least, they facilitate decision-making processes within the committee.
2. The Procurement Department Representative
Another committee member is the representative in the procurement department. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the products sourced and acquired by the organization comply with Halal standards which is Halal Certified and have the necessary document. The Procurement Department Representative is responsible to assess suppliers and vendors for their adherence to Halal practices. They other task is to ensure that all procurement-related documentation includes Halal certification where applicable and collaborate with the Halal Committee to conduct regular audits of the supply chain.
3. The Halal Executive
Finally, the last member that have to be present in the committee is the Halal Executive. The Halal Executive must meet the following conditions;
- Malaysian Muslim
- Have a permanent position in the organization
- A minimum of a Diploma in Halal Management or equivalent or five years of experience in halal management
- Possess a Halal Executive Certificate from a Halal Training Provider registered under HPB JAKIM
The Halal Executive is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of Halal standards and ensuring that all processes comply with Islamic dietary laws. They are responsible to manage the Halal certification process for products and services and regularly monitor and assess internal processes for Halal compliance. They also need to establish an effective communication by act as a liaison between the Halal Committee and different departments within the organization. They must provide sufficient education and training within the company by conduct training sessions for employees to raise awareness of Halal requirements.
General Responsibility of Halal Committee
The establishment of a robust Halal Committee stands as a testament to an organization’s commitment to Islamic principles. In Halal Committee, if possible, all the committee should be Muslim staff and within the company itself, it needs at least two Muslim staff; one being production staff and another being at the manager level. All and all, this Halal Committee need to ensure that all the operation in the company comply to Halal standards, educate the rest of the company on Halal awareness and to sources and adequate suppliers and vendors of the ingredients for the company.
Conclusion:
The establishment of a Halal Committee is a testament to an organization’s commitment to ethical business practices. With the Chairman providing visionary leadership, the Procurement Department Representative safeguarding the supply chain, and the Halal Executive ensuring day-to-day compliance, this triumvirate forms the backbone of an institution dedicated to the principles of Halal. Together, they weave a narrative of integrity, trust, and unwavering commitment to Islamic dietary laws, setting the stage for a future where Halal practices are not just a certification but a way of business life.
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