Turkey’s Halal Accreditation Agency and Saudi Regulator Sign Cooperation Agreement

ISTANBUL — Türkiye’s Halal Accreditation Agency (HAK) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) signed a memorandum of understanding this week at the World Halal Summit and Expo, marking a significant step toward closer regulatory coordination in a global halal market increasingly shaped by cross-border trade.

The agreement, inked during the summit’s opening session, outlines plans for the two agencies to exchange technical expertise, conduct joint training programs, and participate together in seminars, workshops, and international conferences. Officials said the collaboration is intended to elevate the quality and consistency of halal oversight, an area where both nations have sought to expand their influence.

The World Halal Summit and Expo, held Nov. 26–29 under Türkiye’s presidency and backed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, serves as one of the largest annual gatherings for halal industry stakeholders. The event draws regulators, industry executives, scholars, and trade officials from dozens of countries, all seeking a foothold in a halal economy that spans food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, tourism, and increasingly, technology.

HAK, established in 2017, is Türkiye’s sole authority empowered by law to accredit bodies that certify halal products and services. It has positioned itself as a key regional player as countries work to align standards and eliminate inconsistencies that can slow trade or create confusion for consumers. Turkish officials frequently argue that a more unified accreditation ecosystem is essential for boosting trust in halal labels across global markets.

Saudi Arabia’s SFDA, which oversees the kingdom’s Halal Center, has also pushed to modernize and internationalize its halal certification regime. As the Gulf region expands its manufacturing capacity and food-processing operations, Saudi regulators have sought stronger partnerships to ensure their standards are recognized abroad — a move that can reduce duplicative testing and streamline imports and exports.

The memorandum comes at a time when the global halal market is undergoing rapid growth, driven by rising consumer demand in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Muslim communities in Europe and North America. Analysts forecast the halal economy to reach several trillion dollars in value over the next decade, with food alone accounting for a massive share of that expansion.

Yet the sector faces persistent challenges. Countries have historically relied on differing certification criteria and inspection protocols, making it difficult for producers to access multiple markets without undergoing repeated, costly assessments. The Türkiye–Saudi agreement signals a broader trend among Muslim-majority nations to harmonize standards and build regulatory bridges that could help ease those barriers.

For both countries, the partnership also carries diplomatic and economic weight. Türkiye has used the annual summit to highlight its ambition to become a central hub for halal accreditation, while Saudi Arabia is seeking to bolster its credentials as a global regulator as it expands its economic diversification plans.

With the new agreement, officials from both sides say they hope to promote greater transparency, strengthen consumer confidence, and support businesses looking to navigate a fragmented yet rapidly expanding halal landscape.