Islam is the second-largest religion in the world with over 2 billion Muslims, accounting for 15% of the global population. This makes it a highly potential market, but one that requires businesses to understand and comply with the unique standards of Muslim consumers.
In the Muslim world, all activities—from eating and living to production and business—must comply with the strict regulations of Shariah law and the Quran. One of the essential conditions for a product to be allowed and consumed in Muslim countries is having Halal certification.
✅ WHAT IS HALAL CERTIFICATION?
“Halal” in Arabic means “permissible” or “lawful”. For Muslims, Halal certification is a confirmation that a product meets requirements in terms of ingredients and production conditions.
A Halal certificate verifies that a product:
- Does not contain Haram (forbidden) ingredients such as pork, alcohol, blood, etc.
- Does not come into contact with prohibited materials during production.
- Is produced under the supervision of an authorized Islamic organization.
Products requiring Halal certification include:
- Food and beverages (excluding alcohol and intoxicants)
- Medicines
- Cosmetics
- Functional foods and dietary supplements
- Halal livestock feed and aquaculture feed
- Halal personal care products
These products often contain animal-derived ingredients or other components not permissible for Muslims. Halal standards not only apply to ingredients but also cover the entire supply chain—production, processing, packaging, labeling, storage, and transportation.
Conditions for halal certification
A product must meet the following requirements:
- Halal ingredients:
All ingredients must be confirmed as Halal. This means no pork or pork-derived substances. Other animal products such as poultry, beef, fish, and seafood must comply with Halal slaughtering and handling practices.
- Halal production process:
Manufacturing must adhere to Halal standards. All equipment and technology used must be free from contamination by non-Halal materials.
- Halal management system, monitoring and inspection:
Facilities must establish a management system, along with regular inspections and monitoring to ensure Halal compliance throughout the production process.
- External Certification:
A product must be assessed and certified by an independent Halal certification body. This includes audits of the production process, ingredients, and adherence to Halal requirements. If approved, a Halal certificate will be issued.
Certification requirements may vary by country and certifying organization. Therefore, businesses must research and comply with specific regulations in the intended export markets.
✅ WHY DO BUSINESSES NEED HALAL CERTIFICATION?
- Access to over 1.9 billion Muslim consumers globally.
- Enhance product credibility, trust, and competitiveness.
- Prioritized for import into Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc.
✅ REGULATIONS ON HALAL CERTIFICATION FOR IMPORTS
Each Muslim country has its own certifying body and process, but the basic requirements usually include:
- Certification by a recognized organization
- JAKIM: Valid for exports to all countries except Indonesia and GCC.
- GCC: Valid for exports to GCC market.
- MUI: Valid for all countries except Malaysia and GCC.
(*GCC market: UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen.)
- Supervision of the entire supply chain—from raw materials, production equipment, to storage.
- Clear Halal labeling and traceability documentation.
- Periodic renewal – usually every 1–2 years.
🌐 VIETNAM AND THE POTENTIAL OF HALAL EXPORTS
Vietnam has many advantages for developing Halal products, including abundant raw materials, modern production systems, and a strategic location near major Muslim markets. However, to expand successfully, businesses need to invest in standardized Halal processes and collaborate with reputable certifying bodies.
✨ If you’re aiming for markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, or North Africa – Halal is not just a certificate, it’s the key to unlocking a world of opportunities!
