ABSTRACT
This chapter details the development of halal certification in Brunei Darussalam. It highlights the state of halal certification in selected countries within Southeast Asia. The chapter looks at the specificities of the Bruneian halal industry within the context and agenda of an economic diversification of the Sultanate. The global demand for halal products and services is increasing substantially, not only due to the growing Muslim population, but also because of changes in attitude towards Islamic lifestyle among Muslims globally. Halal certification is a religion-based food standard certification to certify that ingredients and processing of food are completely compliant with Shari’a laws. The growing number of Muslims in the world impacts consumer behaviour towards halal food and products, products which are duly certified as ‘halal’. Brunei’s focus on promoting halal as a brand led to specific policy initiatives on halal certification, starting in July 2009 with the launch of Brunei Halal.
