Kuala Lumpur, 1 April 2015 - Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM) was the sole and honoured recipient of the Halal Excellence Award 2015 presented by the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) today. The award marks another meaningful acknowledgement for CCM’s continued commitment to Halal for more than 15 years.

The Minister of International Trade and Industry, YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed presented the award at the prestigious World Halal Conference Appreciation Dinner. The Halal Excellence Award is an esteemed award in the Halal industry introduced to honour and recognise both individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional contributions and achievements for the development of the overall Halal industry.

CCM, one of Malaysia’s top 20 GLCs, takes its role in championing Halal seriously and has been actively involved in the development of the world’s first Halal pharmaceutical standards, and subsequently voluntarily coming forward to be tested for Halal compliance according to the stringent criteria within the standards.

At the award presentation ceremony, En Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar, Group Managing Director, explained that CCM’s approach to Halal is taken as the company’s aspiration to perform the fardhkifayah (collective obligation/duty) by making available Halal products to everyone worldwide and also to champion the cause to uplift the Halal standards and awareness worldwide.

“We are humbled and greatly privileged to receive this highly prestigious award. This year marks our 16 years of commitment to Halal made possible by our staff’s support and dedication,” said said En Leonard upon receiving the award.

“This is more than just an award to us, it is a meaningful acknowledgement of our commitment and efforts to continuously uplift the awareness of Halal globally. We are thankful for the opportunity to have worked alongside various catalysts within the Halal industry, especially HDC, to champion such a meaningful cause,” he added.

The Halal Excellence Award 2015 is another feather in the cap for CCM as it continues its trailblazing path in the global Halal pharmaceutical sector. In early 2013, CCM was acknowledged by the Malaysia Book of Records as the first company in the world to have received Halal certification by the world’s first Halal Pharmaceutical Standards, MS2424. The company voluntarily took on the more exacting criteria within MS2424:2012 when it was launched, to demonstrate Halal compliance. CCM has also been awarded the MS User Awards from Standards Malaysia in 2014 and 2011, the Best Corporate Responsibility Project 2009 at World Halal Forum and Best Halal Product 2009 at Malaysian Halal Excellence Award.

CCM’s involvement in Halal started in 1999 when it became the first company to receive Halal certification for its range of health supplements under the brands CHAMPS, Flavettes, Proviton and Naturallebased on MS1500 Standard on Halal Food. Today, the company has set industry standards by having its own Halal Committee, and has received numerous awards from the global Halal industry. The company applies the inclusive concept of Halal Toyyibanto all aspects of its operations, in all its divisions, where Halal is built in, and not tested for. Its Chemicals Division became the first ISO 9002 certified chemical company that obtained the prestigious ‘Halal Malaysia’ certification for its manufactured Chlor-alkali & Coagulant products in South East Asia in 2004. Additionally, its subsidiary CCM Fertilizers Sdn Bhd was certified with the MS1900 Quality Management System from Islamic Perspective in 2014.

The Halal Excellence Award was presented at the World Halal Conference 2015, a global conference that merges the scholars, industry captains, and the best minds in the Halal industry to harness the full potential within the Halal industry within a globalised environment.

About Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM)

CCM, Malaysia’s largest generic pharmaceutical and compound fertilizers manufacturer, is listed on the main market of Bursa Malaysia and is a key player in the fertilizers, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries. CCM turned 50 in 2013, celebrating five decades of commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Malaysians. As CCM forges ahead, the Group will continue to strive for innovation and empower its employees in order to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction for years to come.