Halal Certification in India: Comprehensive Overview and Recent Policy Update

Halal Certification in India: Comprehensive Overview and Recent Policy Update

Introduction

Halal certification is an official validation that a product or service complies with Islamic dietary laws as outlined in the Quran, Sunnah, and other Islamic texts. The term Halal means “permissible” in Arabic. Products certified as Halal ensure they meet Islamic standards across various sectors, including food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and personal care.

Halal certification primarily focuses on excluding prohibited (haram) ingredients such as pork or alcohol and ensuring that every stage of production—from sourcing to manufacturing and processing—adheres to Islamic principles.

Applicability Across Goods

Halal certification applies to a wide range of products:

• Food & Beverages: Meat, poultry, dairy, processed and packaged foods, beverages, snacks, and more.
• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Skincare, makeup, perfumes, soaps, and other personal care items.
• Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals: Medicines, supplements, vitamins, and health-related products.
• Textiles & Leather: Clothing, footwear, and accessories made from permissible materials.
• Cleaning Products: Detergents, sanitizers, and other cleaning agents.

Any product that is consumed, applied, or otherwise used and falls under Islamic law may be eligible for Halal certification.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

Halal certification is governed by multiple regulatory frameworks, both nationally and internationally.

India

• Authority: Ministry of Commerce & Industry through the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• Mandatory Status: Not legally required for all products but strongly encouraged for exports to Muslim-majority countries.
• Certifying Bodies: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUIH), Halal India, Indian Halal Development Agency (IHDA), and others.

International

• No Single Global Authority: Different countries maintain their own Halal standards and certification bodies.
• Notable International Bodies:
  • JAKIM (Malaysia)
  • MUI (Indonesia)
  • Halal Food Certification (Saudi Arabia)
  • Halal Certification Europe (HCE, EU)
• Standardization Efforts: ISO and OIC provide guidelines to harmonize Halal certification globally.

Importance for Indian Exports

Halal certification is crucial for exporting goods from India to Islamic countries due to:

1. Religious Compliance: Ensures products meet Islamic dietary laws.
2. Market Access: Required for entry into countries with large Muslim populations, such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
3. Legal Requirements: Mandatory in many importing countries, particularly for food and beverages.
4. Consumer Trust: Confirms that products are verified by a recognized authority.

Eligibility and Certification Criteria

Eligibility

• Product must fall under categories permissible in Islamic law.
• Must not contain haram ingredients like pork, alcohol, or non-halal slaughtered animals.
• Processing must avoid contamination with haram substances.
• Suppliers must be Halal-certified.

Certification Criteria

1. All ingredients must be halal.
2. Production processes must prevent contamination.
3. Packaging materials should also be halal.
4. Meat and poultry must be slaughtered according to Islamic principles.
5. Facilities must undergo regular inspection and auditing.

Required Documentation

• Application form to the certifying body.
• Product details, ingredients, and production methods.
• Supplier information and proof of their Halal certification.
• Manufacturing process flow.
• Sanitation and hygiene standards.
• Halal slaughtering certificate for meat products.

Surveillance, Audits, and Fees

• Audits: Periodic inspections ensure ongoing compliance, usually annually or biannually.
• Inspection Areas: Ingredient sourcing, processing facilities, sanitation, and production processes.
• Fees: Include application, inspection/audit, annual renewal, and certification fees, ranging from a few thousand INR to several lakhs depending on product complexity.

Governing Authorities

India:

• FSSAI – Oversight of Halal certification for food.
• Indian Halal Certification Body (IHCB) – Issues Halal certificates across sectors.

International:

• JAKIM (Malaysia), MUI (Indonesia), SFDA (Saudi Arabia), Halal Certification Europe (EU).

Challenges and Solutions

1. Lack of Standardization: Overcome by opting for internationally recognized certification bodies.
2. Cost and Complexity: Reduce costs via local certifying agencies or group certifications.
3. Understanding Religious Principles: Collaborate with experienced consultants or Halal certification bodies.

Recent Policy Update: Expansion of Halal Certification Requirement for Meat Exports

[Gazette of India Extraordinary Part II Section 3, Sub Section (ii)]
Notification No. 59/2025-26, Dated 09th February 2026
Ministry of Commerce & Industry – DGFT

The Government of India has amended Notification No. 34/2024-25 to expand the list of countries requiring Halal certification under the India Conformity Assessment Scheme (I-CAS) Halal for meat and meat products.

Newly Added Countries (20): Azerbaijan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Yemen, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Mauritius, Tajikistan, Maldives, Seychelles, Kyrgyzstan, Brunei, Kenya, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia.

Compliance Timeline:

• For all new countries except Egypt: Two weeks from the date of notification.
• For Egypt: Six months from the date of notification to allow system readiness and on boarding of certification bodies.

Impact: Indian exporters must ensure NABCB-accredited Halal certification to access these markets, aligning with existing policy conditions.

Official Contact: Lav Agarwal, Director General of Foreign Trade, [email protected]

Conclusion

Halal certification is essential for businesses exporting to Islamic countries. It guarantees compliance with Islamic dietary laws, fosters consumer trust, and provides access to lucrative international markets. With the recent expansion of mandatory Halal certification for meat exports under the I-CAS framework, Indian exporters now have broader opportunities, provided they adhere to the updated compliance and documentation requirements.

Key Links:

• FSSAI
• Halal India
• JAKIM Malaysia
• MUI Indonesia
• Halal Certification Europe