The 2025 edition of the COMSTECH-SMIIC Training Course on “OIC/SMIIC Halal Products Standards and Testing” was successfully held from 12–16 May 2025 in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan. The event was jointly organized by Standards and Metrology Institute of Islamic Countries (SMIIC) together with the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Uzbek Agency for Technical Regulation under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (O‘ZTTSA), with the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) as a key partner.

The Training Course consisted of the following:

Opening Session

The training began with an inaugural session addressed by the following distinguished officials:

• Mr. Timur Mashanpin, Deputy Director, O‘ZTTSA
• H.E. Mr. İhsan Övüt, Secretary General, SMIIC
• Mr. Khusrav Noziri, Assistant Director General, IOFS
• H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General, COMSTECH
• Chief Guest: Mr. Khikmatillo Toshtemirov, Muslim Board of Uzbekistan

During the inaugural session the speakers emphasized the strategic importance of harmonizing halal standards and the role of testing laboratories in ensuring halal integrity across the OIC Member States.

Day 1: Thematic Presentations

In the afternoon session of the first day, the following topics were presented:

• Introduction to SMIIC and the Global Halal Industry – H.E. Mr. İhsan Övüt (SMIIC)
• Overview of Halal Food – Dr. Ali Sheikh (SMIIC)
• Healthy, Halal, and Safe Food Ecosystem in OIC Countries – Dr. Shahlo Atabaeva (IOFS)
• COMSTECH’s Engagement in Food, Agriculture & Environment – Mr. M. Haris Akram (COMSTECH)
• SMIIC Accreditation Council & Conformity Assessment Framework – Mr. Çağrı Cankurtaran (SMIIC)
• Introduction to Halal Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals – Dr. Ali Sheikh (SMIIC)
• Future of the Halal Industry – Mr. Mahroze Ahmed Khan (PCSIR, Pakistan)

Days 2 & 3: Standards-Based Training

Participants received technical training on the following OIC/SMIIC Halal Standards: 

• OIC/SMIIC 1:2019 – General Requirements for Halal Food
• OIC/SMIIC 4:2018 – Halal Cosmetics Requirements
• OIC/SMIIC 50-1:2022 – Halal Pharmaceuticals

Day 4: Laboratory Competency

• Presentation and training on “OIC/SMIIC 35:2020 – Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for the Competence of Laboratories Performing Halal Testing” was given

Days 4 & 5: Practical Laboratory Training

The final two days were conducted at the Central Laboratory for Quality Control and Scientific Research (UzTest) of the Uzbek Agency for Technical Regulation under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (O‘ZTTSA) featuring hands-on practical training. A key focus was:

• Porcine detection testing using real-time PCR technology, applying protocols developed under the SMIIC TC1 Technical Committee for Halal Food.

This practical module provided participants with live demonstrations and experiential learning in halal testing methodologies.

Participation

• Days 1–3: 27 in-person and 37 online participants
• Days 4–5 (Laboratory Training): 25 in-person participants
• International Representation: 9 international participants from:
  Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Uganda, Türkiye, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan

Acknowledgements

SMIIC extends sincere appreciation to O‘ZTTSA, COMSTECH, and IOFS for their instrumental roles in organizing this impactful training. Special thanks to the Central Laboratory for Quality Control and Scientific Research for hosting the practical sessions and delivering professional laboratory instruction.

 This training course contributed significantly to building regional capacity, advancing technical expertise, and supporting the harmonized application of OIC/SMIIC Halal Standards throughout the OIC Member States.