Govt allocates ₱800,000 to conduct market research on halal cosmetics

The government has allocated ₱800,000 to conduct market research on halal cosmetics until October.

“When we say halal cosmetics, this was made following the principles of the Halal Assurance Management System and the Shariah (Islamic law), the contents used to follow the Shariah. The contents are not against the Shariah like these are not from animals and plants,” said Anabelle Briones, Director of the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI).

Briones also noted that the production processes and area would be exclusive for halal cosmetics.

“The equipment to be used are also solely for the halal cosmetics production. Cleanliness is also needed for both the production and the workers,” said Briones.

Of the total funding, ₱500,000 came from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), ₱300,000 from ITDI.

“Out target (for these products) is the growing Muslim population as well as non-Muslims who are searching for products that are clean and safe. We also target the export market in Muslim countries,” said Briones.

The ITDI has been working with the University of the Philippines – Diliman to conduct the market research. According to Briones, ITDI needed a third party to do the market research and UP is renowned for its expertise on the subject.

Part of the funding was used to make the products needed for the market research—these products are given to the companies included in its survey.

“Through a survey on the acceptance of (the ITDI’s) halal products, we would know what else we could improve to better serve the customers. We do the survey in various areas as we had included companies in the cosmetics industry,” said Briones.

Briones also believes many entrepreneurs and technology adopters will benefit from this project.

“We received many inquiries about the halal cosmetics technology. A possible technology adopter also expressed its interest,” she remarked.

SOURCE: PNA