News From : DagangHalal.com (24 Sep 2009)
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian Council of Clerics have been given the green light to distribute halal certification guidelines for importer located outside Indonesia, to tackle the absence of halal certification agency, the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy said on Thursday. However the ministry announced that detailed explanations on the new precedure will be issued early next week.
Deputy for Industry and Trade of the Ministry Edy Putra Irawady said the distribution of guidelines by the clerics’ council were approved during the coordination meeting with the Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics Evaluation Body at the clerics’ council, to address the removal of overseas offices of halal certification body.
Edy said the absence of certification body has made it difficult for importers from abroad to get recommendations, however sending halal products experts abroad to inspect import goods will involve a considerable amount of budget.
Edy said despite the voluntary nature of the measure for importers from existing trading partner countries, the authority will still require certification issued by third party for goods coming from non partner countries, or will send halal products expert to non trading partner countries to inspect import goods.
RIEKA RAHADIANA