Halal standards could become global benchmark for sustainability, Halal360 CEO says
Halal certification has the potential to become a global benchmark for sustainability and ethical consumerism, with its principles already encompassing many of the standards now promoted under environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks, Halal360 Chief Executive Officer Mahmood Godel said.
Speaking at the Al-Barakah Islamic Finance Summit in Istanbul, Godel said halal should be viewed not merely as a religious certification for food but as a comprehensive ethical framework centred on purity, quality, fairness and environmental responsibility.
"Something that is not sustainable can never be halal," Godel said. "If you are polluting the environment or damaging the ecosystem, that is not the teachings of Islam."
He argued that halal principles naturally align with growing global demand for sustainable production and ethical supply chains, adding that the concept should be promoted as a universal standard rather than one aimed solely at Muslims.
"It's not just for Muslims, it's for the entire humanity," he said.
Expanding a multi-trillion-dollar market
Godel said the global halal economy, spanning food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics and Islamic finance, is projected to approach $10 trillion by 2030. However, he argued that its growth is constrained by a widespread misconception that halal relates only to dietary requirements.
Drawing a comparison with the global rise of veganism, he said halal has yet to achieve similar international branding and consumer awareness despite serving a potential market of around two billion Muslims.
"Halal has to be of the highest quality, of the highest standards—it has to be pure," Godel said. "We just need to create awareness."
Muslim countries urged to lead
Godel also questioned why much of the industry's growth is being driven by non-Muslim countries.
He noted that Brazil has become the world's largest exporter of halal meat, while Thailand is a major supplier of halal-certified food products. At the same time, Islamic finance continues to expand in Western markets, reflecting increasing global interest in the sector.
"There is a reason the major producers of halal products are non-Muslim countries like Brazil and Thailand," he said. "They realise the true potential."
"Muslims should not be the participants of the halal industry, but should be the leaders."
AI to modernise halal certification
Godel said Halal360 is investing in digital infrastructure to improve transparency and accessibility across the industry.
The London-based platform is developing a global halal certification database covering countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, alongside artificial intelligence-powered verification tools designed to simplify certification checks for businesses and consumers.
"Everyone just wants to go online and see if the product is halal or not," he said.
Halal360 is also incorporating dedicated discussions on artificial intelligence and technology into its upcoming industry forums in London and Makkah, reflecting what Godel described as the next phase of the halal economy's development.
Godel said the industry's future lies not only in certification but in demonstrating that halal represents a broader commitment to ethical production, environmental stewardship and responsible business practices.
"It's not just about the certification," he said. "It's about the ethics."
Source:AA
