FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS IN HALAL TRADE REGULATIONS: WTO LAW AND POLICY CHALLENGES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52026/2788-5291_2026_81_1_333Keywords:
Halal Trade Regulation, WTO Law, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Public Morals Exception (GATT XX(a)), Halal Certification and Standards, Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), Codex Alimentarius and SMIIC, Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), Islamic Law and Trade PolicyAbstract
This paper investigates the legal and policy aspects together with technological aspects of halal trade regulations through the lens of World Trade Organization (WTO) legal framework. The research aims to determine how halal requirements affect international trade rules and to evaluate policy challenges and new digital trade practices.
The research uses doctrinal legal analysis of WTO agreements (TBT, SPS, GATT/GATS) alongside comparative analysis of international regulatory frameworks (Codex Alimentarius, OIC, and accreditation forums) and evaluation of relevant WTO case law and committee discussions.
The results show that TBT agreement serves as the main framework for halal regulations to interact with WTO law while policy challenges emerge from unharmonized standards and certifications.
The article proposes future research directions which include defining WTO doctrinal interpretations for halal regulations and improving international policy harmonization and digital trade solutions for regulatory efficiency. The paper stresses the requirement for regulatory systems that maintain religious authenticity while preventing unnecessary restrictions on international trade movements.
