KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has the capacity to realise the target of developing 6,000 Malaysian Standards by 2010, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Fadillah Yusof said on Thursday.

He said the Department of Standards Malaysia with the support of SIRIM Bhd was close to achieve the national target as only 940 standards or 15.7 percent have to be developed to meet the set target.

As of Dec 31 last year, 5,060 Malaysian Standards have been developed, he said when presenting the MS 1900:2005 Certificate -- Quality Management Systems - Requirements from Islamic Perspectives and opening the MS1900 seminar at Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia.

The Department of Standards Malaysia was tasked with the responsibility to supervise the development of Malaysian Standards and accreditation recognised as an instrument to boost product competitiveness and services by the industries in Malaysia at the international market.

The department is an agency under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.

On Halal Malaysian Standards, Fadillah said besides MS1500 and MS1900, several new halal standards are to be published soon.

Among them are standards related to halal cosmetics and value-based management, he said.

"I hope application of these standards can be expanded to diverse fields where Islamic values are very much needed to solve various problems faced by the people now," he said.

The MS1500 is the first halal-related Malaysian Standards published by the Standards Department of Malaysia in 2004 for production, preparation, handling and storage of halal food.

Quality management-based second standards -- MS1900 -- was developed in accordance with the International Standard ISO9001:2000.

At the event, five local companies were adjudged as the pioneers in the world to receive the MS1900:2005 certification.

They are Natural Wellness Industries Sdn Bhd; Century Total Logistics Sdn Bhd; Takaful Ikhlas Sdn Bhd; PNB Darby Park Executive Suites; and Melaka Zakat Centre.

SIRIM QAS International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SIRIM Bhd, worked with IKIM (Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia) to develop the document, prepare training module and implement the MS1900:2005 certification process for the companies.

SIRIM Bhd president and chief executive Yahaya Ahmad said five more companies were in the process of implementing the MS1900:2005 and be awarded the certification.

-- BERNAMA