Hilal Certification

Halal certification is a process that ensures products and services meet Islamic dietary laws and requirements. This certification is particularly important for food products, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Here are some key points about halal certification:

1. Compliance with Islamic Law: Halal certification verifies that products comply with Sharia law, meaning they are permissible for consumption or use by Muslims.
2. Ingredients and Processes: It involves rigorous checks of ingredients, manufacturing processes, and handling to ensure no prohibited substances (haram) are present.
3. Labeling: Once certified, products can carry a halal label, making them easily identifiable for consumers seeking halal options.

This certification is essential for businesses aiming to cater to the growing global Muslim population and those prioritizing halal standards.

As an organization going for Hilal Food Certification your organization needs to ensure that the entire supply chain, from sourcing to processing to final product, complies with Islamic dietary laws. Below is a comprehensive checklist for organizations going for auditing halal certification:

Halal Certification Audit Checklist (We have made easy for you)

1-Pre-Audit Preparation

• Understand Islamic Dietary Laws: Ensure familiarity with Sharia law concerning halal and haram products.
• Documentation Review: Gather and review all relevant documentation from the company, including ingredients lists, supplier certifications, and process descriptions.

2-Ingredients and Raw Materials

• Source Verification: Verify the halal status of all raw materials and ingredients.
• Supplier Certification: Check that all suppliers are certified by recognized halal certification bodies.
• Storage and Handling: Ensure that raw materials are stored and handled separately from non-halal materials.

3-Manufacturing Process

• Equipment Cleanliness: Ensure all equipment used in the manufacturing process is free from contamination by non-halal substances.
• Segregation: Verify that halal products are processed separately from non-halal products to prevent cross-contamination.
• Sanitization Procedures: Check the cleaning and sanitization procedures to ensure they comply with halal requirements.

4-Processing and Handling

• Documentation: Confirm that all processing steps are documented and comply with halal standards.
• Staff Training: Verify that all staff involved in the production process are trained in halal requirements.
• Cross-Contamination Prevention: Assess measures in place to prevent cross-contamination with non-halal substances.

5-Packaging and Labeling

• Halal Logo Usage: Ensure the halal logo and certification number are correctly displayed on packaging.
• Label Compliance: Check that labels accurately reflect the product contents and comply with halal labeling requirements.

6-Storage and Distribution

• Storage Conditions: Verify that storage conditions prevent contamination by non-halal products.
• Distribution Channels: Ensure distribution channels maintain the integrity of halal products.

7-Traceability and Documentation

• Batch Records: Check batch records for traceability from raw materials to final product.
• Certification Records: Ensure all relevant halal certification documentation is up to date and available.
• Recall Procedures: Assess the effectiveness of recall procedures for halal products.

8-Internal Audits and Continuous Improvement

• Internal Audit Program: Verify the existence and implementation of an internal audit program for halal compliance.
• Corrective Actions: Review records of corrective actions taken for non-compliance issues.
• Continuous Improvement: Assess the company's commitment to continuous improvement in halal compliance.

9-Additional Points

• Animal Welfare: If applicable, verify that animal slaughter methods comply with halal standards (e.g., specific slaughter techniques, prayers recited during slaughter).
• Third-Party Testing: Check if third-party testing is used to confirm the absence of non-halal substances.

10-Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with local and international halal regulations.

This checklist can serve as a guideline for conducting thorough audits to ensure compliance with halal certification requirements.

Please feel free to contact us, should you require assistance in establishing and implementing the aforementioned guidelines within your organization? Our team is well-trained and thoroughly understands your requirements and the necessity driving your pursuit of Halal certification.

We look forward to the opportunity to support your organization in achieving Halal certification.

Disclaimer

We operate as an independent B2B consulting, training, and inspection service division under AGATES GROUP General Trading and Contracting Company W.L.L. We maintain complete independence from all accreditation boards and certifying bodies, strictly adhering to predefined ethical work policies. As consultants, we have no control over the activities, audits, methodologies, decisions, and approvals of certification bodies. Our role is primarily to facilitate the coordination and scheduling of certification audits between these bodies and client organizations, ensuring that the process is conducted efficiently and professionally. Neither we nor the certifying bodies engage in conflicts of interest during the execution of business processes.

AGC located in Kuwait, shall not be held liable for any changes that may occur in the status or circumstances of certification bodies in the future. This includes, but is not limited to, alterations in the certification process, adjustments in the certification body's policies or procedures, or any other modifications, withdrawals or overall status change, that could impact the certification status, or related services provided. The responsibility for staying informed about and complying with any such changes rests solely with the certification body and its representatives.