IE 363 and IE 367 Halal statement updated
European Commission hosts a conference on religious slaughter with national authorities and religious communities
Today, the European Commission is organising a conference on freedom of religion with regard to religious slaughter, in partnership with the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the UN. Commissioner Helena Dalli will deliver the opening remarks.
Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Chairman of Irish Muslim Council and Director of Department of Halal Certification Europe (DHCE), is also attending this meeting.
The conference is bringing together representatives of EU Member States and other national authorities, special envoys and coordinators on combating antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, representatives of national Jewish, Muslim and other religious communities, international organisations and independent experts.
In its EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life and in its EU Anti-racism Action Plan, the Commission committed to facilitating exchange of practices between national authorities, representatives of Jewish and Muslim communities, equality bodies, civil society and local level representatives, and to draw on experience of international organisations. A summary of the event will be made available online in the coming days.
A fondness for green – Halal certification logos around the world
DHCE continues to be recognised by Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT) as per latest official update 12 May 2022
We are delighted to share that Department of Halal Certification Europe (DHCE) is once again recognised by Thailand’s appointed body that recognises foreign Halal certification bodies.
department-of-halal-certification-becomes-business-all-star-accredited
Department of Halal Certification Becomes Business All-Star Accredited.
[21st December, Dublin] The only accredited Irish Halal certification body based in Ireland has been recognised for meeting the highest standards of performance, trust and customer centricity.
The business was initially established in 2008 to formalise investigation and certification of food products produced in Ireland. They currently operate in Ireland, UK and other European countries where it supervises, audits and certifies abattoirs, food processing companies and pharmaceutical companies.
Responding to today’s announcement, Dr. Umar Al-Qadri, Director of the Department of Halal Certification (DHCE) says, “We are thrilled to be recognised and to be worthy of Business All-Star Accreditation. This is a recognition of the hard work my team have put into building up our Irish owned Halal certification business over the last few years and the trust and good relationships we have with our clients. At an uncertain time for the economy with the ongoing effects of Covid-19 and Brexit, we are proud to continue to offer an established and trusted service to our customers throughout Ireland and Europe which will enhance the marketability of their products globally.”
This is an independently verified standard mark for indigenous businesses, based on rigorous selection criteria. The accreditation is overseen by the prestigious All-Ireland Business Foundation, whose adjudication panel is chaired by Dr Briga Hynes of the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics.
Dr Hynes said the accreditation, which is now held by over 350 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards, but have nothing to measure them by.
“We evaluate a company’s background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics”, she says.
The All-Ireland Business Foundation is a national body which accredits best-in-class Irish businesses as Business All-Stars. The Foundation also oversees the All-Ireland Business Summit while promoting peer dialogue amongst our members on an ongoing basis.
The process to select the next group of Business All-Star accredited companies has begun and further information is available at businessallstars.ie
QA Director of DHCE interviewed on Newstalk Radio on Slaughtering Halal Meat in Ireland
PRESIDENT MICHAEL D HIGGINS SPECIAL EID MESSAGE
Received from Uachtarán na hÉireann – President of Ireland
Message from President Michael D Higgins
At the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, as you prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, may I send my congratulations and best wishes to all members of the Islamic community in Ireland.
In normal circumstances, Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world can come together, to celebrate with their neighbours and loves ones, in mosques and cultural centres.
This year, as the covid-19 virus has forced the closure of so many public spaces, I hope that Ramadan can be an opportunity to reflect on our common humanity and our shared dependence, as the Islamic community has to try and celebrate its identity in a physically separated, but spiritually united, fashion.
Over the past number of months, our resolve as a nation has been tested and, as President of Ireland, I take heart from the countless demonstrations of solidarity between people of all backgrounds and their fellow citizens. May I thank the Islamic community in Ireland for its valuable contribution in this regard and send you my best wishes for your health and happiness in the year to come.
Michael D Higgins
Uachtarán na hÉireann
President of Ireland
DHCE Statement on COVID-19
Greetings from the Department of Halal Certification Europe (DHCE)
DHCE continues to monitor advice to assess the developments and risks following the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With the safety and wellbeing of our clients and colleagues our highest priority, we are contacting you to advise of our plans as an organisation during this global health issue.
Taking into consideration the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have reviewed our certification processes and put in place a contingency plan in line with the guidelines of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) on the management of Extraordinary or Circumstances affecting accreditation and certification bodies.
The objective of our contingency plan is to minimize the risk to DHCE clients and colleagues whilst at the same time maintaining certification requirements and mitigating potential global trade risks in these extraordinary circumstances.
- On-site certification assessment visits/Halal audits that were due to take place in March and April will all be rescheduled to a later date
- To ensure clients continue to have valid halal certification, renewals of the certification will be granted after successful remote assessment
These measures are being put in place to ensure the health and safety of our Clients and DHCE colleagues, as well as to maintain robust accredited conformity assessment activities and accredited services in the best possible way.
Should you require any further clarification on this matter, please contact us.
We wish you all the best.
Ms. Shahida Umar
Managing Director DHCE
International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Statement on COVID-19
IAF Statement on COVID-19
IAF continues to monitor advice to assess the developments and risks following the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The situation has led to safety concerns and travel restrictions in relevant economies that are likely to affect accredited conformity assessment activities.
Following the guidance set out in ID3:2011 (IAF Informative Document For Management of Extraordinary Events or Circumstances Affecting ABs, CABs and Certified Organizations), relevant Accreditation Bodies and Certification Bodies have introduced or are introducing alternative arrangements to conduct assessments. This may involve e.g. making arrangements to conduct assessments remotely or rescheduling activities if necessary. Both ABs and CBs can find the requirements on how to use information and communication technologies to support and maintain the integrity of the audit/assessment process in IAF MD 4 (Mandatory Document for the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Auditing/Assessment Purposes).
These measures have been/are being put in place to ensure the health and safety of Accreditation Body and Certification Body staff, as well as to maintain robust accredited certification and ensure certified organizations are served in the best way possible.
The advice from governments in relevant economies and other sources to assess the risks will be continually monitored as the situation develops. Situation reports can be found on the WHO website.
Details of your local IAF member contacts can be found on the IAF website.
DHCE granted new accreditation certificate by EIAC with additional scopes to benefit trade between Ireland and the UAE
DHCE has received a new accreditation certificate by the Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) for three years with additional scopes for lamb, beef and poultry products. This accreditation will facilitate more trade between the two countries in Halal meat products.
Ms Amina Ahmed Mohammed, Executive director of Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) presented the accreditation certificate to Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Director of Department of Halal Certification Europe. His Excellency Ambassador Cronin, Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE was also present during this ceremony.
