The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is launching a training program on international halal standards and certification systems to support domestic cosmetics companies in entering the halal markets of the Middle East and the Islamic world.

The MFDS announced on Thursday that it will hold the 2nd Cosmetics Halal Certification Expert Seminar and Job Training on October 13 for cosmetics manufacturers and other relevant entities.

This event was organized not only to help companies comply with halal regulations in individual countries such as Indonesia but also to enhance domestic companies’ understanding of the international halal standards and certification systems being established under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and to strengthen their capacity to export to the Middle East and other Islamic countries.

Halal cosmetics refer to cosmetics that are produced, processed, and distributed in accordance with Sharia, Islamic law, and are certified for use by Muslims.

Previously, on June 17, the Ministry held the 1st Expert Seminar and Job Training on Halal Cosmetics Certification to address Indonesia’s mandatory halal labeling requirement for cosmetics. In Indonesia, the mandatory halal labeling requirement for cosmetics is scheduled to take effect on October 18.

At this seminar, İhsan ÖVÜT, Secretary-General of the Standards Organization of Islamic Countries (SMIIC), a standards agency under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), will speak, introducing global halal market trends and regulatory roadmaps.

In addition, based on global halal market trends and the regulatory roadmap, the seminar will cover how to develop strategies for entering Islamic markets and the key practical requirements of the halal assurance framework within the OIC.

The training program is divided into intermediate and advanced courses based on skill level.

The intermediate course provides training on Procedures for Establishing a Halal Quality System for in-house halal managers, while the advanced course provides training on Implementation of a Halal Product Assurance System for quality managers and other relevant personnel. A certificate of completion will be issued to participants who successfully complete the program.

Companies wishing to participate can apply via the QR codes posted on the websites of the Global Cosmetics Regulatory Harmonization Support Center, the Korea Pharmaceutical Exporters Association, the Korea Pharmaceutical Testing Institute, or the Korea Cosmetics Association.

Meanwhile, to strengthen global cooperation on cosmetics regulations, the MFDS hosted the first meeting of the Global Cosmetics Regulatory Authorities Summit (GCORAS), the world’s first cooperation platform for heads of cosmetics regulatory agencies, at the Seoul Plaza Hotel last month. The summit discussed cosmetics safety management, responses to digital distribution, and future regulatory directions.

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