Halal Certification

Overview of HALAL Certification

The term Halal comes from the Arabic language, which means to be 'permitted' or 'lawful' with respect to what is allowed to a practising Muslim as per Islamic laws. Halal Certification is granted to all types of consumables, not just food. The Certification ensures that the commodities are safe and hygienic and that they do not cause harm to the person who consumes them. Halal Certification is essential for various types of businesses for products such as cosmetics, restaurants and pharmaceutical who need to utilise animal products.

Benefits of Obtaining a Halal Certification

There are numerous benefits to obtaining a Halal certification these are:

• Use of Halal Logo: Once the business receives halal Certification, they are permitted to use the Halal Logo. This logo enables the consumer to easily trust the brand and its products.
• Market Expansion: Halal Certification is preferred in areas such as Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America, Europe and Central Asia. This allows the business to push their goods to these newer markets, which cater to about 2 billion people.
• Improves Quality: In order to obtain HALAL Certification, the business has to prove that it meets high standards right from manufacturing to the production of the goods. This ensures that the quality of the halal-certified product remains top-notch.
• Hygienic Conditions: Halal Certification also makes sure that the business has paid serious consideration to hygiene standards. If the inspectors do not find the hygienic systems up to the mark, then halal Certification shall not be granted.
• Islamic Countries: Having a halal certification makes the product easily marketable in Islamic countries, especially middle eastern countries. As the populations in these regions only prefer halal-certified products.
• Brand Reputation: The Halal Certification increases the reputation of the brand in the market both domestically as well as internationally.

Halal Certification Bodies in India

The following bodies in India can provide a Halal certification to a business in India:

• Jamiatulama-i-hind Halal trust
• Halal certification Services India Private Limited
• Halal India Private Limited

Types of Halal Certification

Following are the types of Halal Certification:

Restaurant Scheme

Halal Certification under this scheme is granted to restaurants, cafes and cloud kitchens that prepare fresh dishes using meat or animal-based products. This Certification has to be renewed periodically. This Certification is important for various franchise chain owners as well.

Food, Beverage and Catering Scheme

The brands that are involved in the production of packaged foods or beverages on a large scale are required to have this Certification. The certification authority will closely monitor all the processes and ingredients that are utilised in the production of their goods and decide whether the products are Halal or not. Therefore, the brands involved in this must ensure that their products do not contain any of the prohibited items.

Abattoirs Scheme

The Abattoirs scheme is for all butchers and slaughterhouses that want to obtain a Halal Certification. Under this scheme, the slaughterers must be practising Muslims, they must follow the necessary religious procedures for slaughter. The slaughter of pigs must be prohibited in the abattoir.

Industrial Scheme

Industrial schemes shall be applicable to businesses that are involved in the processing and manufacturing of products that contain meat or any type of animal residue. The applicant must ensure that utmost care for hygiene is maintained during the process as per the requisite standards.

Storage/ Warehouse schemes

Often meat has to be stored in various warehouses or storage facilities. There is a special kind of halal Certification for such spaces that ensures the temperature for the meat is maintained, and it is not contaminated in any manner.

Documents Required for Halal Certification

Following are some crucial Documents required for HALAL Certification:

• PAN card for the business
• Document for address proof
• A duly filled application made on the company's letterhead
• Complete details of all the products of the company
• Details of all the materials that are used for manufacturing the product
• Machines and techniques for the preservation of products
• A letter from government authorised lab that certifies the ingredients used in the product
• A copy of the export license (if applicable)
• Sample of products in the original packaging
• Assurance from the company for:

  The product does not have pork.

  The product does not contain alcohol.

  The product is free from animal-based gelatine.

• Any preservatives being used are halal-certified as well.

Process to Obtain Halal Certification in India

Following is the step by step process to get HALAL Certification in India:

Select the Certifying Body

The applicant must first decide on the body from which they seek the Certification from. There are three major Halal certification bodies in India, and the applicant can select from any of the following:

• Halal India Private Limited
• Halal Certification Services India Private Limited
• JamiatUlama-i-Hind Halal Trust

Selection of the Scheme

As listed above, there are various types of halal certification schemes. Each certification scheme is designed keeping in mind different parameters. Therefore, the applicant must apply for the one that meets their business needs. If a business requires a certification for multiple schemes, then a separate application has to be filed for each of them.

Fill in the Application Form

The applicant has to fill in the application form. The application form shall be easily available on the website of the certifying body. The applicant must fill in the important details to find out whether the applicant is eligible to obtain the Halal Certification. This step does not involve any extra costs.

Audit

Once the basic verification is complete then, the process of auditing shall begin. Two auditors (one technical auditor and one shariah auditor) will visit the business premises. They will check various aspects, from paper works to storage, processing, cleanliness and packaging. The business must provide all the details as and when prompted by the auditors. Once the audit is completed, it will be signed by both parties.

Certification

After the process of auditing, the certification body will cross-check all the details and necessary papers. If all the requirements have been adhered to then the Hala certification shall be issued to the business.

How can Corpbiz Assist You with your Halal Certification?

• Once you opt for Halal certification services, our experts will get in touch with you to gather relevant information for the process.
• Then our experts will help you with the filing of the application and the preparation of relevant Documents.
• We shall provide you with the receipt of the successful acceptance of the application and the date for the audit of your premises.