Halal Certification

Overview

Halal Certification confirms that a product, process or service complies with Islamic dietary and quality requirements (Shariah law) and is therefore permissible (halal) for Muslim consumers. The certificate is issued by a recognised Halal certification body after it reviews the ingredients, sourcing, processing and handling of the products and audits the facility.

It is widely sought by businesses dealing in food and beverages, meat and poultry, slaughterhouses, restaurants and hotels, packaged foods, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and personal-care products. Manufacturers and exporters targeting Muslim-majority markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and beyond use it to demonstrate compliance and build trust.

For meat and meat products being exported, India now requires certification under the India Conformity Assessment Scheme (i-CAS) Halal. Under guidelines effective from October 2024, meat exported as halal to a notified list of countries must be processed in facilities certified by certification bodies accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) under the Quality Council of India (QCI). For the domestic market and for non-meat products, Halal certification continues to be largely voluntary and is provided by established private certification bodies.

While Halal certification is voluntary for most domestic sales, it is a practical necessity for accessing Muslim consumers in India and for exporting to Islamic markets that mandate halal compliance.

What is Halal

Halal is an Arabic term meaning permissible or lawful under Islamic (Shariah) law. Halal Certification is a Certificate of Conformity issued by an authorised certification body confirming that a product, ingredient, process or service meets halal standards and is fit for consumption or use by Muslims.

The certification covers far more than the final product. It examines:

• The source and nature of every ingredient (no pork or pork derivatives, alcohol, or other prohibited substances)
• The method of slaughter for meat and poultry (in accordance with Islamic requirements)
• Cleanliness, hygiene and the absence of cross-contamination with non-halal items
• Storage, handling, processing, packaging and transport conditions

Halal certification applies to food and beverages, meat and poultry, restaurants and hotels, packaged and processed foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal-care goods and other consumables. For meat exports, the Government of India has introduced the i-CAS Halal scheme to standardise certification through NABCB-accredited bodies under the Quality Council of India.

Documents Required

Only PAN Card and Aadhaar Card are mandatory; the rest are optional.

• PAN Card
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport-size Photograph
• Address Proof (Utility / Electricity Bill)
• Bank Statement
• Completed Halal Certification Application Form
• Business Registration Documents (GST registration, Company/LLP registration)
• FSSAI Registration Certificate or License
• Complete list of ingredients with sources
• Process flow charts for manufacturing/preparation
• Facility layout plans showing production areas
• Product labels and packaging samples
• Supplier certificates for all ingredients
• Quality management system documentation
• Staff training records on halal procedures
• Menu items and recipe details (restaurants)
• Equipment cleaning procedures (manufacturers)
• Animal welfare and handling protocols (slaughterhouses)
• Target country-specific documentation (exporters)

How to Apply

Getting your Halal Certification through TaxoSure is simple and fully managed. Just follow these steps:

1. Visit TaxoSure. Go to taxosure.com and open this Halal Certification service page.
2. Login or Register. Create your free TaxoSure account, or log in if you already have one.
3. Upload your documents. Your KYC documents (PAN & Aadhaar) are auto-filled from your account; simply upload the remaining documents as per the checklist on this page.
4. Submit your application. Send us your Halal Certification request in one click.
5. Talk to our consultant. Our consultant connects with you on WhatsApp / Call to confirm the details, share the pricing and begin the work.
6. Get your Halal Certificate. Our experts complete the entire process — documentation, audit coordination and follow-up — and deliver your Halal Certificate to you.

Benefits

• Access to global Muslim markets – Open the door to a worldwide Muslim consumer base of well over a billion people and to halal-mandatory export markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
• Export eligibility for meat – i-CAS Halal certification enables meat and meat products to be exported as halal to notified countries that require it.
• Consumer trust and credibility – Assures Muslim consumers that products genuinely meet Islamic requirements.
• Competitive advantage – Differentiates your brand and broadens the addressable market both in India and abroad.
• Higher quality and hygiene standards – Halal audits reinforce cleanliness, traceability and process discipline.
• Use of the recognised Halal logo – Display a trusted certification mark on packaging and premises.
• Stronger supply-chain confidence – Helps win business from buyers, retailers and distributors who require halal-certified suppliers.

Halal Certification Bodies

India does not have a single national halal regulator for all products; certification is provided by recognised private bodies, with the i-CAS Halal scheme now governing meat exports. Well-known certification bodies include:

• Halal India Private Limited
• Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust
• Halal Certification Services India Private Limited
• Jamiat Ulama-e-Maharashtra

For meat and meat products meant for export, certification must be obtained under the India Conformity Assessment Scheme (i-CAS) Halal, operated through certification bodies accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) under the Quality Council of India (QCI). Always confirm that your chosen certifier is accredited and accepted in your target market before applying.

Validity & Renewal

A Halal Certificate is issued for a fixed period and is generally valid for one year, after which it must be renewed; some certifiers offer block validity of up to a few years depending on the scheme and product. Certification is not a one-time event – it is maintained through ongoing compliance.

Key points on validity and renewal:

• Renewal before expiry – Apply for renewal ahead of the expiry date to avoid any lapse in certification.
• Re-audit on renewal – Renewal typically involves a fresh review of documentation and a facility inspection to confirm continued compliance.
• Periodic surveillance – Many certifiers carry out surveillance audits during the validity period to ensure halal integrity is maintained.
• Notify changes – Any change in ingredients, suppliers, processes or facility should be reported, as it may require re-assessment.

Exact validity and renewal terms vary between certification bodies and schemes, so confirm them with your chosen certifier.

FAQs