KARACHI: The Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) and Halal Certification, Testing and Research Services (HCTRS) of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening international collaboration in halal standardization, testing, certification, research and capacity building.
The agreement was signed during the 15th Annual Meetings on Halal Standards of OIC/SMIIC held in Tunis, Tunisia.
An ICCBS spokesperson said on Thursday that the agreement was signed by SMIIC Secretary General Ihsan Ovut on behalf of the Türkiye-headquartered institute and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director HCTRS/ICCBS, University of Karachi.
Prof. Dr. Syed Ghulam Musharraf and Dr. Mufti Arif Ali Shah represented HCTRS/ICCBS during the signing ceremony in Tunis.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will establish a comprehensive framework for cooperation in halal standardization, conformity assessment, metrology, accreditation, quality, scientific research, halal certification, training and capacity building.
The areas of cooperation include exchange of standards, technical regulations and scientific information; collaboration in standards development and implementation; organization of joint seminars, workshops and training programmes; exchange of experts and technical expertise; and development of joint projects and other activities of mutual interest.
According to ICCBS, the agreement will provide a platform for greater exchange of knowledge and technical expertise while supporting efforts to develop stronger and more harmonized halal standards and conformity assessment practices.
The cooperation agreement also marks an important milestone in the international development of HCTRS at ICCBS and reflects ongoing efforts by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah and his team to expand international scientific and technical cooperation in halal testing, certification, research, conformity assessment and standardization.
The SMIIC-HCTRS partnership is expected to facilitate joint scientific initiatives, technical cooperation, expert exchanges, training and standards-related activities, linking Pakistan’s scientific and halal expertise with the broader standardization framework of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The agreement is also expected to create new opportunities for collaboration among institutions working to advance halal science, standards, testing and conformity assessment.
Officials said the signing in Tunis marks a new chapter in cooperation between SMIIC and HCTRS/ICCBS and provides a foundation for deeper international collaboration in halal science, standardization, testing and conformity assessment.
