Fines to be imposed for halal-related violations

New regulations coming into force in Kyrgyzstan on 15 June will impose administrative penalties for breaches of requirements relating to halal products and services. The relevant amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences were discussed at a meeting at the Ministry of Economy and Trade.

Fines will now be imposed for the production and sale of halal products in breach of established standards, the use of non-compliant feed for animals and fish, the release of goods without documentation confirming their halal status, and the provision of halal services without the necessary confirmation of compliance with requirements. For individuals, the fine will amount to 75 calculation units (7,500 KGS); for legal entities, 230 calculation units (23,000 KGS).

Separate liability is introduced for certification violations. If documents certifying the halal status of products or services are issued without the mandatory verification procedures being carried out, legal entities face a fine of 650 calculation units (65,000 KGS). The authorities expect that the new measures will help to rid the market of unscrupulous operators, reduce instances of counterfeit halal labelling and boost consumer confidence in such products.