What Is Halal Certification?

Halal certification is a voluntary procedure through which a reliable Halal certification body can certify products that Halal consumers can consume. Applicants meeting the Halal certification standards will receive a Halal certificate and may use the Halal mark or symbol on their products and advertising.

Food labeling laws around the world require that claims made on product labels be truthful. Halal customers often regard the "Halal certified" mark on a label as a sign of a reliable or premium product. Exporting food to certain countries with a Halal-consumer majority (such as Saudi Arabia or Malaysia) may even require applying for this mark. According to statistics, the global Halal consumer group has reached a staggering 1.9 billion, a quarter of the world's total population; the global Halal industry (food and non-food) is estimated at USD 2 trillion, while the food industry alone is USD 590 billion per year.

Challenges

Food manufacturers usually voluntarily submit their food to apply for Halal certification. An independent Halal certification body is responsible for inspecting the product, observing the production process, and determining whether the company complies with the Halal certification standards. Some bodies often use laboratory testing to determine whether random samples of food contain pork or alcohol products.

Halal certification bodies

There are hundreds of Halal certification bodies worldwide. Their websites provide more information about the certification process. Consumers are advised to carefully study their certification mechanism and accreditation status, and even whether they have a traceability system, to determine the validity of any Halal certificate.

Each Halal certification body has its own certification procedures and requirements. Usually, products are inspected to ensure:

Raw materials, processing-aid ingredients, processing procedures, chemicals and packaging all meet the requirements of the Halal certification standards, mainly not using alcohol or pork products.

Flavoring and fragrance ingredients and solvents must be Halal (e.g., containing no ethanol).

Meat products (non-pork) have been slaughtered according to the requirements of the Halal certification guidelines.

Halal certification process

Consultation

Consult a Halal certification expert

Brief introduction to system-based international Halal certification

Submission

Submit the application form

Assess the application

Brief introduction to the Halal certification project & quotation

Implementation

Carry out and implement the Halal certification audit plan

Audit documentation and physical critical points

Certification

Issue the Halal certificate after a successful audit (2-year validity)

Mail the certificate

Regular surveillance audits

Processing of additional application procedures

Renewal

Issue a Halal certificate renewal reminder letter

Process the renewal application

Issue the renewed Halal certificate (2-year validity)