How to Obtain Halal Certification in Malaysia?

Obtaining Halal certification is vital for you if you plan to Muslim consumer in a specific country. We had discussed the Halal certification process for Indonesia here.  Now, we want to discuss ways to get halal certification for the Malaysian market.

If you, as a manufacturer want to target the Malaysian market you must obtain Halal certification from the relevant authorities in the country.

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) must receive applications from foreign businesses seeking a Halal certification in Malaysia. The applicant’s premises will subsequently be inspected on-site by JAKIM, who may also collect product samples for later testing at a lab.

To sell Halal goods in Malaysia, companies must first get a Halal Certificate from the government. Customers can verify that a product complies with Malaysia’s Halal requirements by looking at the Halal certificate issued by JAKIM to the company in question.

Malaysia, having a Muslim population of about 16 million, is the largest producer and consumer of Halal goods in Southeast Asia. It exports Halal goods worth 35.4 billion ringgit ($7.46 billion), or 5.1% of its total exports, primarily to Indonesia and other nations with sizable Muslim populations.

Food items, cosmetics, and medications all involve animal products, so Halal certification is pertinent to these items as well. Here, we examine the definition of Halal in Malaysia and the process that businesses can follow to obtain a Halal certificate for their products.

What is Considered Halal food in Malaysia?

Islamic law uses the term “halal,” which is Arabic for “authorized,” “permissible,” or “lawful.”
Contrast this with “Haram,” which means “not permitted” or “forbidden.”
A Halal certificate verifies that a product is appropriate for Muslim consumption.

The most typical application of Halal certification is in relation to food products. Sometimes businesses create alternative food items, such as meat products, that are targeted exclusively at Muslim consumers and ask for a Halal certificate from the relevant authority.

Trade Description Order (Usage of the Term “Halal”) 1975 contains Malaysia’s definition of the word “Halal.” This definition states that a dish is Halal if it complies with the following Shariah rulings about Halal.

• The product in question does not originate from, contain, or contain anything made from an animal that is prohibited to Muslims under Islamic law or an animal that has not been killed in accordance with Islamic law.
• It does not include any elements that are prohibited by Islamic law.
• It is not produced, processed, or prepared using tools or utensils that do not comply with Islamic law’s definition of purity.
• It does not come into touch with or is not kept close to any food that does not adhere to the aforementioned rules or any items that are deemed impure by Islamic law while it is being prepared, processed, or stored.

What other products can be certified as Halal in Malaysia?

A Halal Certificate can be obtained for a wide range of goods and services in addition to food products. The majority of these are goods or services that could contain animal products on the premises or as ingredients.
These consist of:

• Beverages;
• Food supplements;
• Food premises (e.g. restaurants, hotels);
• Consumer goods;
• Cosmetics and personal care products;
• Pharmaceuticals;
• Logistics;
• Slaughterhouses;
• Original equipment manufacturers; and
• Medical devices.

For a product to be deemed Halal, there are certain requirements for each sector or product category. The National Council for Malaysian Islamic Religious Affairs, for instance, debated The Guidelines on the Production, Preparation, Handling, and Storage of Halal Food in 2000 in relation to slaughterhouses.

How to apply for a Halal Certificate in Malaysia?

The government organization in charge of regulating Halal Certificates in Malaysia is called the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia, or JAKIM).

Businesses can use the MYeHALAL system on the JAKIM Halal Hub to submit an online application for a Halal Confirmation Certificate.
If they are successful, businesses may use the JAKIM-issued Halal emblem on their products.

A Halal Confirmation Certificate applicant must fit into one of following six categories.

• Manufacturer/producer;
• Distributor/trader;
• Sub-contract manufacturer;
• Repacking;
• Food premise; and
• Abattoir/slaughterhouse.

After identifying their category, applicants must provide JAKIM with the following information:

• Company profile;
• Company/business registration;
• Name and description of product/menu for certification;
• Ingredients used;
• Name and address of manufacturer/ingredient supplier;
• Halal status for ingredients with the Halal certificate or product specification for critical ingredients (if relevant);
• Type of packaging material;
• Manufacturing process and procedure;
• Other documents, such as HACCP, ISO, GHP, GMP, TQM, etc. (If any); and
• Location map of premise/factory.

After that, JAKIM will check out the applicant’s property in person.
During JAKIM’s examination of the property, the applicant must make a file for the Halal Certificate application in which to save all pertinent paperwork.
During the inspection, the inspector may collect product samples for lab testing.

If approved, the applicant’s Halal Certification will be good for two years, with the exception of slaughterhouses, where it will only be good for one year.
A Halal Certificate holder must submit an application for renewal at least three months before the certificate expires.

How much does it cost to apply for a Halal Certificate in Malaysia?

The fees associated with applying for a Halal Certificate depend on the entity that is applying. They are summarized as follows:

• Small company: 100 ringgit (US$21)
• Medium company: 400 ringgit (US$84)
• Multinational company: 700 ringgit (US$148)
• Small slaughterhouse: 100 ringgit (US$21)
• Medium slaughterhouse: 400 ringgit (US$84)
• Large slaughterhouse: 700 ringgit (US$148)
• Food premise/restaurant/hotel/caterer: RM 100 (US$21) for each premise

Does Malaysia recognize foreign Halal certificates?

Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (FHCBs) that adhere to Malaysia’s procedures and regulations are recognized by JAKIM. Known FHCBs submit annual reports to JAKIM for evaluation. You may find the list of FHCBs as of December 2020 here.

According to the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of ‘Halal’) Order 2011, any item marked as “Halal” that is exported to Malaysia needs to receive a certificate, which includes a marking, from an FHCB.