September 02, 2021, marks an important event as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) in a virtual event formally awards the certificate of accreditation to Prime Certification and Inspection Asia and Pacific, Inc. – PAB’s first locally accredited Halal Certification Body.

The accreditation of Prime as the first local Halal Certification Body will be beneficial to the Philippine Halal Industry, particularly in the export and trade of Halal Products, Processes, and Services. This development opens an opportunity for the Philippine products and services to compete in the international market.

As stated in RA 10817 (An Act Instituting the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Program, Creating for the Purpose the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board, and for other Purposes) of 2016 Section 11 (a) All Philippine products that will be exported as Halal, and processes and services whose outputs or benefits shall accrue or flow outside of the Philippine territory, shall (i) undergo certification from an accredited Halal certification body, and (ii) comply with the appropriate Philippine National Standards for Halal as developed, or with international or foreign standards recognized…

Prime Certification and Inspection Asia and Pacific, Inc. has been accredited to ISO/IEC 17065:2021 – Conformity Assessment – Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes, and services and Philippine National Halal Certification Scheme (PNHCS) of 2018 to provide certification for the following scope: Food Product / Beverages / Food Supplements Product based on Philippine National Standard (PNS) 2067:2008 Halal Food-General guidelines.

Prime Group of Companies CEO, Dr. Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi shared that the road to their accreditation is not an easy one, yet it truly brought the best in them as a company and as a team. She also added that they will make sure to continue to be excellent in the services that they provide as their company expands and keep improving.

DTI-PAB Director James Empeño stated during his congratulation message that Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) designated as the national accreditation body for Halal Certification Bodies under RA 10817 is committed to supporting the Philippine Halal Industry through accreditation that ensures competence, impartiality, and consistency of the operation of Halal Certification Bodies. He also said that he hopes that this endeavor will inspire other Halal conformity assessment bodies to seal the trust to their certification services by aspiring for PAB’s accreditation.

For more information about PAB’s accreditation of Halal Certification Bodies, other accreditation services, and list of PAB’s accredited bodies, please visit our website: www.dti.gov.ph/pab or email at pab@dti.gov.ph.

Release Date: 10 September 2021.