The halal auditor’s role is vital in the flow of halal certification, and the auditor is a witness for the scholars in determining the fatwa. What are the ups and downs experienced by LPPOM MUI halal auditors? How does this institution manage the auditors who spearhead the halal certification?
In the realm of halal certification, the halal auditor profession is now a field of service that attracts the interest of many people. Many job seekers, both fresh graduates and experienced ones are competing to become LPPOM MUI halal auditors.
President Director of LPPOM MUI, Ir. Muti Arintawati, M, Si, explained that in general, there are two types of halal auditors assigned to check the halalness of a product or service. There is an internal halal auditor and an external halal auditor, and each of these auditors has responsibilities in a different scope.
Internal halal auditors are auditors who work within the company’s scope to fulfill the terms and conditions of the LPPOM MUI Halal Assurance System. The company must appoint an internal halal auditor to supervise the production process carried out to comply with the applicable halal provisions.
While external halal auditors are those, who carry out inspection stages regarding the halalness of a product, this halal auditor is mentioned and regulated in the law.
LPPOM MUI senior auditor, Prof. Dr. Khaswar Syamsu, M.Sc., revealed that the profession as a halal auditor is exciting because the gift of knowledge they have can be practiced in the way of Allah.
“Halal auditors can provide knowledge to companies on the requirements for the production of halal products, knowledge of halal and haram ingredients, provide management guidance on the implementation of the Halal Assurance System, and so on. On the other hand, halal auditors also learn from companies and gain practical knowledge and experience in the industry as a complement to the knowledge that is already known theoretically,” said Khaswar Syamsu, who is also a professor of IPB.
Muti Arintawati emphasized that halal auditors have a very strategic and decisive position in the halal certification chain. “The halal auditor is a witness for the ulama in determining the fatwa.”
To give the correct fatwa about a product, the Ulama, members of the MUI Fatwa Commission need input and information from halal auditors who carry out direct inspections in the field. The examination, which is a scientific judgment from experts in food, medicine, and cosmetics or chemistry, is then reported in the MUI Fatwa Commission session.
The halal auditor’s report cannot be wrong. The statement is not an exaggeration considering that halal auditors are one of the most critical links in the flow of the halal certification process. The audit results from the halal auditors are the basis for the fatwa to decide whether a product is halal or not.
“If the auditor makes a mistake, it will produce the wrong fatwa output as well. Therefore, the auditor must be competent so that the audit carried out can provide valid and reliable results,” said Muti Arintawati.
In addition to scientific competence, another thing that is no less important to be fulfilled by an auditor is integrity. An auditor is a witness who represents the Ulama when conducting an audit at the audit location.
As a witness, the halal auditor must submit objective and factual data and facts in the audit report and be supported by valid supporting documents without any conflict of interest. (FMS)
