UAE’s recognition of Indonesia’s National Accreditation Committee halal certificates to harmonise standard, boost bilateral trade

JAKARTA/DUBAI – The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia’s National Standardization Agency (BSN) and National Accreditation Committee (KAN) to officially recognise halal certificates issued by KAN.

ESMA director-general Abdulla Maeeni told Salaam Gateway the cooperation will harmonise the standard for halal in the two countries and help increase bilateral trade between UAE and Indonesia.

In 2017, UAE imported 6,468.54 million Emirati dirhams ($1.8 billion) from Indonesia and sold 918.71 million dirhams ($250 million) in non-oil exports to Southeast Asia’s largest economy, according to data from the UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority.

Indonesia’s biggest exports to UAE last year were vehicles and their parts (767.35 million dirhams), animal or vegetable fats, oils and waxes (708.72 million dirhams), and electrical machinery, sound recorders and their parts (536.47 dirhams). The three categories accounted for around 2 billion dirhams, or 31 percent, of UAE’s imports from Indonesia.

Food and beverages-related imports, such as live animals, meats, vegetables, animal or vegetable fats, and foodstuffs reached 1.2 billion dirhams.

BSN chairman Bambang Prasetya told Salaam Gateway he is optimistic ESMA’s recognition will boost Indonesia’s exports to the UAE, especially food and beverages.

“We have about 13 F&B companies that already have a market in the UAE, ranging from instant noodles, biscuits, processed meat products, candy, jelly, cake, as well as flavours and sweeteners,” said Prasetya.

Under the MoU, ESMA will recognise halal certificates issued by KAN and products certified by certification bodies accredited KAN, based on UAE halal requirements set by ESMA.

The parties agree that KAN will comply with relevant clauses of UAE.S 2055-3: Halal Accreditation Bodies.

“With the signing of the cooperation, KAN will accredit halal certification institutions for products exported to the UAE and supervise certification bodies to ensure the integrity of halal certificates issued," said Prasetya.

ESMA will provide training for KAN staff on UAE.S 2055-2: General Requirements for Halal Certification Bodies, including any applicable rules and procedures and ESMA online services requirements, said Maeeni.

The UAE authority may also conduct peer assessments to ensure the proper fulfillment of UAE halal requirements, added the director-general. 

($1 = 3.67 Emirati dirhams)

Link: https://www.salaamgateway.com/en/story/uaes_recognition_of_indonesias_national_accreditation_committee_halal_certificates_to_harmonise_standard_boost_bilateral_trade-SALAAM30072018093123/