Azerbaijan introduces Halal certification

The Azerbaijan Standardization Institute (AZSTAND), operating under the State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control under the Economy Ministry, has been authorized to issue Halal certificates that comply with international accreditation standards, Report informs, citing the state service.

According to the state service, AZSTAND's certification body has been accredited by the Halal Accreditation Agency (HAK) of Türkiye.

The primary objective of granting the Halal certificate is to create conditions for the application and use of appropriate rules in the production of goods, services, and management systems. This initiative aims to meet consumers' demands and expectations regarding halal products, build trust in these products, and stimulate the circulation of halal goods in the market.

Since 2022, Azerbaijan has been a member of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC). AZSTAND is represented in 17 technical committees on standardization within SMIIC. To date, the institute has adopted 6 new state standards based on SMIIC standards related to halal products and services. Moreover, 23 employees of the organization have participated in training programs conducted by prestigious institutions such as SMIIC, HAK, and the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE). These employees have obtained internationally recognized chief auditor certificates in halal certification and the ISO 22000:2018 "Food Safety Management System" international standard.