DUBAI, 21st September, 2016 (WAM) -- Following directives from Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to enhance the status of the country as the Global Capital for Islamic Economy, the Secretary-General's Office of the International Halal Accreditation Forum, IHAF, has started the groundwork aimed at solidifying the presence of the worlds first Halal international accreditation network.

IHAF is the first international accreditation entity related to Halal to be based in the UAE, and is now finalising the drafting of its by-law that will be deliberated by its General Assembly in November this year. Following approval, IHAF will expand its multi-lateral agreements with major food and product exporting countries.

IHAFs 10 founding members are: Dubai Municipality (Dubai Accreditation Center), Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Emirates National Accreditation System), American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, Pakistan National Accreditation Council, Entidad Nacional de Acreditacion (Spain), GCC Accreditation Centre, Saudi Accreditation Committee, United Kingdom Accreditation Service, Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand, and the National Council for Accreditation Egypt.

Mohamed Saleh Badri, Secretary-General of IHAF, said, "The rate of growth witnessed in the Halal market shows that by 2030, it can be the biggest industry in the world. However, although Halal standards and processes are based on the universal principles and teachings of Islam, the Halal industry is yet to use one universal set of determinants and one all-encompassing mark.

"More than a hundred Halal marks are currently being used all over the globe. IHAFs ultimate mission is to unify Halal criteria and Halal practices and generate a global agreement among the authorities that would ease the flow of Halal goods between countries and create a Halal market that consumers can trust," he added.

Based on a report by Thomson Reuters, the global expenditure in Halal food sector alone stood at US$1.128 trillion in 2014 and this is expected to grow to $1.585 trillion by 2020. The global market for Halal food and lifestyle sector including travel, fashion, media and recreation, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics was valued at $1.8 trillion in 2014. It is estimated that this will increase up to $2.6 trillion by 2020.

While the Islamic Economy can be considered an excellent opportunity to promote Halal industries and Halal-based businesses around the world, it faces structural and operational challenges in the area of regulation, standardisation, compliance, supply chain integrity, innovations, research and development, consumer education and awareness.

"Despite the challenges, the growth rate of Halal products and services has been significantly high. It is high time that a committed global effort amongst governments and all Halal stakeholders be done. It is about time that we establish innovative, reliable compliance schemes that are acceptable to one and all," Mohamed Saleh Badri concluded.

Spearheaded by the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, DIEDC, and the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology, ESMA, IHAF is anchored in the belief that greater cooperation among regional and international organisations is the key to creating a Halal industry that is strong, stable, reliable and responsive to the needs of consumers and businesses across the world.

IHAF is an independent, non-government network of accreditation agencies all mandated to enforce Halal standards in their countries and regions. It is empowered by its aim to protect the growing number of Halal consumers, to facilitate international trade, and to establish a solid ground for the global industry of Halal food and non-food products.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2016.