Halal Certification for Export: Key Considerations

Welcome to Halal Market Mastery! Each week, we’ll provide you with expert tips, best practices and industry developments to thrive in the booming trillion-dollar halal market. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

• Halal Certification for Export: Key Considerations

  • 1. Understand the Requirements of Your Target Mark …

  • 2. Choose the Right Halal Certification Body

  • 3. Compliance with Regional and International Stan …

  • 4. Ensure Proper Documentation and Labelling

  • 5. Leverage Halal Market Opportunities

  • 6. Manage Cross-Border Logistics

  • 7. Stay Informed on Changing Regulations

  • Key Takeaways

• Industry News

Halal Certification for Export: Key Considerations

As the global demand for halal products continues to rise, exporting your halal-certified goods can unlock new growth opportunities. However, navigating halal certification for export involves understanding the complexities of different markets. This week, we explore the key considerations for successfully exporting halal products.

1. Understand the Requirements of Your Target Market

Each country has its own halal certification standards and regulatory requirements:

• Country-Specific Standards: Countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia have stringent halal certification processes managed by specific government bodies like JAKIM (Malaysia) and BPJPH (Indonesia).

• Accreditation Bodies: Some countries only recognise halal certificates from specific certification bodies. Make sure your certification body is accredited and accepted in the market you want to enter.

• Import Regulations: Beyond halal certification, ensure compliance with general import regulations, including customs duties, labelling, and documentation.

2. Choose the Right Halal Certification Body

Selecting the right certification body is crucial for successful export:

• Recognised Globally: Opt for a halal certification body that is recognised by international authorities in your target export markets.

• Multinational Certification Bodies: Some certification bodies are recognised in multiple countries, allowing for smoother access to various markets with a single certification.

• Transparency in Certification Process: Ensure the certification body has a clear, transparent process for audits, documentation, and maintaining compliance standards across borders.

3. Compliance with Regional and International Standards

Ensure that your halal certification aligns with both regional and international halal standards:

• Global Standards Harmonisation: As global halal trade grows, efforts are underway to harmonise standards. Familiarise yourself with commonalities in certification requirements to simplify multi-market entry.

• Shariah Compliance: Ensure that the certification body follows strict shariah-compliant guidelines and that your processes, ingredients, and facilities meet these standards.

• Recognition Agreements: Leverage Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) between halal certification bodies in different countries, allowing for smoother cross-border trade.

4. Ensure Proper Documentation and Labelling

Accurate and clear documentation is key to successfully exporting halal products:

• Halal Certificates: Ensure your halal certificates are up-to-date and compliant with the requirements of the importing country. Keep multiple copies of all documentation ready for customs inspections.

• Product Labels: Check the halal labelling requirements of the target market, including certification logos, product ingredients, and relevant local language translations.

• Traceability: Maintain records that trace the halal status of products throughout the supply chain, from raw materials to the finished goods, to demonstrate halal integrity.

5. Leverage Halal Market Opportunities

Tapping into the global halal market offers immense growth potential:

• High-Demand Markets: Focus on high-demand halal markets such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and parts of Africa. These regions have growing Muslim populations and increasing demand for halal-certified products.

• Trade Shows and Expos: Attend international halal trade shows and expos, such as MIHAS (Malaysia) and the Halal Trade Expo Dubai, to showcase your products, network with buyers, and better understand market trends.

• E-Commerce for Halal Export: Leverage online platforms to reach halal-conscious consumers in global markets. Platforms like Alibaba, Amazon, and Grab are increasingly popular for selling halal products internationally.

6. Manage Cross-Border Logistics

Effective logistics management is essential for exporting halal products:

• Halal Integrity in Transit: Ensure that your logistics partners understand the importance of maintaining halal integrity during transport, storage, and handling. This includes segregating halal products from non-halal items and ensuring cleanliness in transportation.

• Cold Chain Management: For perishable products, cold chain logistics must be handled properly to ensure both product safety and halal compliance.

• Customs Procedures: Work closely with logistics providers who are familiar with the customs procedures in your target markets to avoid delays and ensure smooth entry.

7. Stay Informed on Changing Regulations

Halal certification requirements can change, particularly in fast-growing halal markets:

• Monitor Regulatory Changes: Regularly monitor regulatory updates in your target export markets. Certification requirements, labelling laws, or customs procedures may change over time.

• Engage Certification Bodies: Stay in close communication with your halal certification body to ensure that you’re aware of any changes that could affect your certification’s validity in export markets.

• Continuous Compliance: Maintain continuous compliance with halal standards, ensuring your products are regularly audited and certified to avoid lapses that could impact your export business.

Key Takeaways

Exporting halal-certified products offers lucrative opportunities for growth in global markets. By understanding the specific halal certification requirements of your target markets, maintaining proper documentation, and working with recognised certification bodies, you can ensure a smooth export process and build trust with international consumers.

For more insights or for personalised advice, click below:

Industry News

1. Global-level consumption of halal products estimated to reach US$3.1 T (Antara, 3 Oct 2024)

2. Indonesian companies expect new halal regulation to spur growth (Nikkei Asia, 2 Oct 2024)

3. India sets new guidelines for halal meat exports, effective October 16 (The Economic Times, 1 Oct 2024)

4. Azerbaijan will host first Halal Business and Tourism Forum (Azertac, 1 Oct 2024)

5. BPJPH Explanations About Tuak, Beer, And Wine Drinks That Get Halal Certificates (VOI ID, 1 Oct 2024)

6. Indonesian minister launches halal international trust organisation in Japan (The Star, 1 Oct 2024)

7. Malaysia to produce halal vaccines by 2027 (The Malaysian Reserve, 30 Sept 2024)

8. Mara, Jakim out to train more officers to become halal auditors (The Borneo Post, 29 Sept 2024)

9. Low awareness one of reasons behind fewer halal certification applications (Selangor Journal, 28 Sept 2024)

10. Bahrain and Thailand seek to enhance halal trade ties (Zawya, 27 Sept 2024)

11. ‘Halal-Friendly Philippines’ campaign looks to tap Asean, GCC countries (Gulf Times, 27 Sept 2024)

12. China invited to invest in Sabah’s food industry (Borneo Post, 27 Sept 2024)

13. Vietnam’s HALCERT meets with OIC ambassadors to discuss Halal development (Vietstock, 26 Sept 2024)

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