As work in the Halal food industry proceeds rapidly, HalalFocus has asked Raqam Consulting to give us an overview of the current Halal certification and accreditation organizations in Dubai, to help clarify the industry's major players.

IHAF is an organization responsible for coordinating various Halal accreditation bodies, certification bodies, and the IHAF Halal Standards Development Authority.

IHAF does not supervise any certification body, nor does it accredit any Halal certification body.

ESMA has approved about six accreditation bodies to accredit Halal certification bodies according to the UAE.S 2055 or GSO UAE.S 2055 standard. The Gulf Accreditation Center (GAC) and the Dubai Accreditation Center (DAC), recently renamed the Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC), are the two accreditation bodies actively providing accreditation to Halal certification bodies. So far, GAC has accredited 9 certification bodies, and EIAC/DAC has accredited one. All accredited certification bodies must be registered with ESMA.

In the UAE, two certification bodies are providing Halal certification, one of which is Gulf TIC. Both ESMA and MOEW (changed to MOCCAE) have provided Halal certificates, while Dubai Municipality - Public Health Services Department provides Halal certification for red-meat slaughter.

According to our information, as of March 31, 2017, the certifications obtained were all according to the UAE.S 2055 or GSO UAE.S 2055 standard. From April 1, 2017, only products (products requiring Halal certificates) certified by already-accredited certification bodies can enter the UAE.

FAQ

What Halal certification and accreditation bodies are there in Dubai?
In Dubai, IHAF is responsible for coordinating various Halal accreditation bodies, certification bodies and the Halal Standards Development Authority, but does not itself supervise or accredit any Halal certification body. ESMA has approved about six accreditation bodies to accredit under the UAE.S 2055 or GSO 2055 standard. The Gulf Accreditation Center (GAC) and the Dubai Accreditation Center (DAC, renamed the Emirates International Accreditation Centre, EIAC) are the two bodies actively providing accreditation - GAC has accredited 9 and EIAC/DAC 1 - and all accredited bodies must register with ESMA. One body providing Halal certification is Gulf TIC.