Certification procedure
Step by step towards your halal certificate
HFFIA applies a careful and thorough procedure for halal certification. Our approach combines religious integrity with technical excellence and complies with the HQAS Quality Manual, which incorporates international halal standards.
Annual renewal
Your halal certificate is valid for one year. For annual renewal, we conduct a recertification audit to ensure the continuity of your halal status.
Process overview:
What do you need to do? Download our application form and submit it fully completed to application@halal.nl.
What information do we require?
- The product(s) to be certified
- Company details and production location(s)
- Process description and business activities
- Information about outsourced processes
- Contact details of responsible persons
- Certification documents from suppliers
Please note: only fully completed applications will be processed.
Upon receiving, your application is assessed by the Decision Committee based on the following criteria:
✓ Completeness - Is all required information provided?
✓ Scope - Is the requested certification clearly defined?
✓ Competence - Does HFFIA have the expertise for your specific sector?
✓ Normative documents - Are the applicable standards clear?
✓ Feasibility - Can all evaluation activities be performed?
Upon approval of your application, we will schedule a personal introduction or conference call with two HFFIA representatives.
During this meeting:
- We will present our company vision and working methods.
- We will discuss the halal policy and guidelines.
- We will explain the contract terms and conditions and costs.
- We will sign the application form.
What is screened? Every ingredient, additive, cleaning agent, lubricant, and (primary) packaging material is checked for halal suitability.
How does the screening work?
- Assessment of halal certificates from suppliers
- Checking raw material declarations and questionnaires
- Analysis of product specifications
- Verification of other relevant documents
Who performs the screening? One of our screeners assesses your documents after all the necessary information has been received.
Purpose of phase 1: this audit focuses on your quality management system and prepares your organization for the phase 2 audit. We assess:
- Food safety management
- Identification of halal risks
- Organizational readiness
- Implementation of procedures
Possible outcomes:
- Proceed to Phase 2
- Postpone for improvements
- Cancel in case of serious shortcomings
The thorough inspection at your location:
Physical inspection
- Incoming goods
- Production processes
- Storage and transportation
- Cleaning and maintenance procedures
System evaluation
- Company policy and objectives
- Quality management system
- Ingredient and product management
- Traceability and documentation
Practical assessment
- Compliance with halal requirements
- Prevention of cross-contamination
- Hygiene and sanitation
- Employee training and awareness
Assessment by the Decision Committee. The complete screening and audit report is reviewed by the HFFIA Decision Committee (DC). Upon a positive assessment, your halal certificate is issued.
Your halal certificate:
- Globally recognized and accepted
- Valid for one year
- Subject to annual re-audit
- Based on international standards
HFFIA applies the HQAS Quality Manual (Halal Quality Assurance System), which incorporates the requirements of the following international halal standards:
- HAS 23000.1 (BPJPH Indonesia)
- MS 1500 (JAKIM Malaysia)
- GSO 2055.1 (GAC Middle East)
- GSO 993 (GAC Slaughter Standard)
- UAE 2055.1 (ESMA United Arab Emirates)
- PS-3733 (PNAC Pakistan)
- MUIS-HC-S001 (MUIS Singapore)
- THS 24000:2552 (CICOT Thailand)
- OIC-SMIIC-1 (SMIIC)
By complying with HQAS requirements, your organization automatically complies with these international standards.
Impartiality policy
HFFIA emphasizes the importance of quality and impartiality in its organization and operations. There is a continuous focus on increasing efficiency, optimizing services and maintaining compliance with Dutch laws and regulations as well as Islamic law.
To avoid conflicts of interest, HFFIA provides no consultancy services, does not outsource audits or screenings, and maintains full independence from commercial or financial influences. HFFIA and related entities are not involved in the design, production, implementation, or maintenance of any certified products, processes, or services.
HFFIA operates in a non-discriminatory manner and ensures fair access to certification for all applicants within its scope. Certification is not dependent on company size, membership, or the number of certifications held. HFFIA may refuse or terminate certification when justified, such as in cases of illegal activities or repeated non-compliance.
The rules on the use of the certification body’s name, certification mark, or logo
The HFFIA certificate and logo are to be used only by organizations that have received the written consent of HFFIA by way of signing the contract. The certificate and logo shall not be reproduced, changed or translated by the client. If this is misused, the certificate is immediately withdrawn.
If the client provides copies of the certification documents to others, the documents shall be reproduced in their entirety and the client shall not translate or adjust the certificate and/or test reports in any way, shape or form without the control and consent of HFFIA.
The Halal certificate or logo are location-specific. This should be used on the labelling, COA or transport documents to prove Halal compliance.
The client shall formally inform HFFIA through the certification department about the use of the Halal logo: on which products/labels it shall be used and also a copy of the label including the Halal logo shall be provided to HFFIA for perusal and approval.
Do you have a question about the certification procedure?
Our team is ready to answer all your questions about halal certification and guide you through the process. Do you have any questions? Please fill in the form below. We will contact you as soon as possible and provide clear guidance.
Direct contact
HFFIA has been the leading authority in halal certification for more than 40 years, under the supervision of Majlis Al-Ifta. Would you like to have your products certified according to the highest Islamic and technical regulations? Then contact us directly!
