Welcome to the Basics of OIC SMIIC 2 2019 Standard: Conformity Assessment – Requirements for Bodies Providing Halal Certification. In this course, we will cover the essential information and principles of this standard, along with its scope, terms, and definitions.
The scope of this standard specifies requirements for halal certification bodies. Observance of these requirements is intended to ensure that halal certification bodies, operate halal product or service or process or management system certification in a competent, consistent and impartial manner, thereby facilitating the recognition of such bodies and the acceptance of their certifications on a national, OIC and international basis. This standard serves as a foundation for facilitating the recognition and acceptance of halal certification in the interests of international trade.
It is important to note that a halal certification body can be either non-governmental or governmental, but it must be an Islamic entity. This means that it should be wholly owned, managed, and operated by Muslims.
To understand the requirements of this standard, we need to refer to several normative references such as ISO IEC 17021-1 for audit and certification of management systems and some other standards for product certification systems, for inspection, for testing and calibration laboratories, among others.
Now let's go through some key terms and definitions mentioned in the standard. The halal competent authority, also known as the Islamic Authority, is an entity supervising halal issues based on Islamic values. An Islamic affairs expert is a Muslim with profound and comprehensive knowledge of Islamic rules. Islamic work ethics refer to the set of Islamic principles that emphasize virtuous behavior, respectability, work commitment, and diligence.
Moving on to the principles of this standard, there is a strong emphasis on Islamic sensitivity and commitment to Islamic values. A risk-based approach is also highlighted, especially when it comes to halal and Islamic requirements.
General requirements of the standard include being an Islamic entity, taking responsibility for conformity with all Islamic requirements, signing a halal certification agreement with clients, and full responsibility for halal certification decisions. The use of halal certification marks and ensuring they adhere to Islamic values is also regulated.
Impartiality is a vital aspect of halal certification, with the certification body needing to avoid offering consultancy services to maintain objectivity. They should also evaluate and minimize any conflicts of interest, ensuring a fair certification process. Financial stability and liability coverage are crucial, along with transparent and non-discriminatory fee policies. Furthermore, traceability is essential, requiring the certification body to implement unique identifiers on products and packaging to ensure their halal status can be tracked throughout the supply chain.
Structural requirements include documenting the organizational structure and top management responsibilities, establishing a mechanism for safeguarding impartiality, and ensuring operational control, even in branch offices or partnerships. The representation of the Islamic authority in the country of operation is crucial for safeguarding impartiality.
Resource requirements cover the competence of management and personnel involved in halal certification activities. The halal certification body should have processes to ensure personnel have appropriate knowledge in relevant areas, define competence criteria, and evaluate personnel's ongoing competence and performance. The certification body should also require its personnel to adhere to Islamic work ethics and have a sufficient number of auditors to handle the volume of work.
Information requirements include guidelines for outsourcing, maintaining publicly available information about the certification body and its services, and maintaining confidentiality. The certification body should also have information exchange processes with clients.
Finally, process requirements outline the general process for initial audit and certification, surveillance activities, recertification, special audits, handling appeals and complaints, and managing records and changes affecting certification.
In summary, the widespread use of OIC SMIIC 2 standard by certification bodies globally can streamline international halal trade, remove technical barriers to trade especially re-certification, enhance product quality, foster consumer trust, and create more efficient market access, benefiting both businesses and consumers worldwide.
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