The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) today announced that their Division for Halaal Certification will stop issuing certificates effective from December 31, 2013 while a separate company will take over operations.

A separate company limited by guarantee founded by reputed, respected professionals in Sri Lanka will be managing compliance audits and certification, it said.

This development comes as a result of the Expressions of Interest called from the public to facilitate the national need for contributing towards social cohesion and Sri Lanka’s economic development, the ACJU said in a statement.

“The role of ACJU in the future with regard to Halaal compliance audits and certifications would be, in providing consultations on any technicalities of the concept of Halaal compliance, as a social obligation and responsibility towards the Sri Lankan society while facilitating global requirements.”

“The process that originated few months ago, after consultations with various stakeholders, authorities and civil society representatives, the need for allowing an independent entity in the form of a company limited by guarantee, to facilitate this was deemed appropriate,” the ACJU said.

The new company is expected to carry out compliance validation processes on request to meet both local consumer demands as well as international exports pre-requisites, similar to several other consumer good certifications currently available in Sri Lanka.

The ACJU further said that a transition plan is already in place for interested companies and existing firms to be introduced to the new entity; based on requests from the commercial establishments.