A Business Guide To Halal Certification Requirements In Malaysia
Obtaining Halal certification from the Malaysian Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) requires meeting very strict standards, but in exchange, opens doors to lucrative business opportunities.
Our guide summarises key points from two official JAKIM guides essential for any business seeking Halal certification, but only available in Bahasa Melayu:
By the end readers will understand:
- key terms in Halal certification
- general application requirements for any business
- specific requirements based on category
- fees, timelines, and validity periods
- steps in the application process, and
- post-certification compliance
Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
- Essential terminology
- Businesses eligible for Halal certification
- General application requirements
- How JAKIM determines operation size
- General requirements by operation size
- Halal certification fees
- Steps in the application process
- License validity periods
- Post-certification compliance
- Renewals
- Let MISHU help obtain your Halal certification
- FAQs on Malaysian Halal certification
Essential terminology
One of the most important parts of Halal certification is that a businesses does not need to be Muslim owned, and so we expect many readers of this guide to be non-Muslims.
As JAKIM uses Islamic terms to discuss Halal certification, we encourage unfamiliar readers to go through this table first or return to it for more information after reading the sections below.
| Term | Summary |
|---|---|
| Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) | Official Halal certification issued by JAKIM confirming that a business, product, or service complies with Halal requirements |
| Malaysian Halal Management System (MHMS) | A system developed, implemented, and maintained by an organisation to ensure continuous compliance with Halal requirements through either IHCS or HAS |
| Halal Assurance System (HAS) | A comprehensive set of internal Halal control procedures for medium and large organisations to maintain Halal integrity across operations |
| Internal Halal Control System (IHCS) | A simplified set of Halal control procedures for small organisations to maintain Halal assurance |
| Halal Executive | A Muslim Malaysian permanent employee with a Diploma in Halal Management (or equivalent experience) AND a Halal Executive Certificate from a JAKIM-registered provider responsible for ensuring Halal compliance in a company |
| Halal Supervisor | A permanent Muslim Malaysian employee responsible for supervising Halal compliance within processing areas, products, services, or management sections |
| Internal Halal Committee | A committee formally appointed by top management to develop, implement, monitor, and control the effectiveness of HAS |
| Muslim Employee | A Muslim Malaysian or non-citizen employee, other than the Halal Executive or Halal Supervisor, employed under a service contract |
| Halal Checker | A qualified Muslim who verifies that every stage of the slaughtering process complies with Halal requirements |
| Slaughtering (Sembelihan) | The Islamic method of slaughtering a halal animal by a Muslim |
| Slaughterer’s Tauliah (Tauliah Penyembelih) | Certification by the State Islamic Religious Authority allowing a person to perform halal slaughter and act as halal checker |
| Hayah al-mustaqirrah | A state confirming that an animal is still alive at the time of slaughter |
| Najis | Impurities such as blood and urine that invalidate Shariah-related cleanliness |
| Sertu | The process required to purify anything contaminated by najis mughallazah (heavy impurities) |
The most important takeaway is that a business owner may be non-Muslim, but it absolutely must employ Malaysian Muslims in certain roles to be eligible for Halal certification.
Businesses eligible for Halal certification
JAKIM recognises nine distinct schemes for Halal activities, each for a specific business sector:
- F&B Products: Manufacturers, repackagers, central kitchens, and brand owners
- Cosmetic Products: External-use body products requiring NPRA notification
- Pharmaceutical Products: Drug Control Authority (PBKD) registered medicines, poisons, and supplements
- Food Premises: Hotels, restaurants, cafes, canteens, bakeries, caterers, food chains, food trucks, and kiosks
- Consumer Goods: Products with doubtful raw material sources (e.g., leather) or processing chemicals
- Logistics: Transportation, warehousing, and retail services
- Slaughterhouses: Commercial slaughter facilities for poultry and ruminants
- Contract Manufacturing: Manufacturing or repackaging services for third-party brands under contract
- Medical Devices: Medical Device Authority (MDA) registered medical products
Any business that falls under one of the above categories may be eligible for Halal certification provided they satisfy additional requirements.
General application requirements
Before submitting a Halal application, any business must first satisfy the following criteria:
- must have been fully operational for at least three months
- valid business registration under SSM
- valid premise license from Local Authorities to carry out the relevant business activity, and
- premises handles and produces only Halal products
In addition to the above, additional sector-specific requirements apply:
| Category | Additional pre-application requirements |
|---|---|
| F&B premises | Must have a valid Food Premise Registration from the Ministry of Health |
| Cosmetics | Products must be notified with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) or have an export-only permit |
| Pharmaceuticals |
|
| Medical devices |
|
| Logistics |
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| Slaughterhouses | Must hold a Veterinary Health Mark (VHM) or a support letter from the Department of Veterinary Services (JPV) |
If the above conditions can be met, the business should determine if they are considered large, medium, or small by JAKIM, as certification fees and requirements differ across each.
How JAKIM determines operation size
As a rule, JAKIM classifies applicants into micro, small, medium, or large operations by annual revenue:
- Micro: < RM300,000
- Small: RM300,000 – RM14,999,999
- Medium: RM15,000,000 – RM50,000,000
- Large: > RM50,000,000
There are two exceptions, the first being catering and convention centers which only have three categories:
- Small: <RM500,000
- Medium: RM500,000 – RM5,000,000
- Large: > RM5,000,000
Finally, slaughterhouses are also split into three categories according to daily processing volume.
| Category | Daily production volume |
|---|---|
| Small |
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| Medium |
|
| Large |
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Naturally, operational requirements increase with size of the business, as do fees.
General requirements by operation size
All other factors being equal, larger organisations are subject to more comprehensive management and supervision requirements.
Halal Management System
Large and medium operations must develop and implement a Halal Assurance System (HAS) and establish an Internal Halal Committee consisting of at least four members: a Chairman, Halal Executive, procurement representative, and operations representative.
Small and micro-operations only need to develop and implement an Internal Halal Control System (IHCS) which consists of documented halal policies, raw material control procedures, and traceability procedures.
For details, see our guide to Halal Management systems and FAQs on Internal Halal Committees.
Staffing requirements
Large and medium operations must employ at least two permanent Malaysian Muslim employees in the processing area and a Halal Executive at each branch.
Small and micro-operations only need to employ at least one permanent Malaysian Muslim employee in the processing area and a Halal Supervisor.
Halal certification fees
Every application is subject to a non-refundable processing fee of RM20 for local companies or RM200 for foreign entities manufacturing in Malaysia.
The annual certification fees are then applied based on operation size and scheme:
| Category | Products, Logistics, OEM, Medical Devices, & Central Kitchens | Catering, Service Providers, & Convention Centers | Slaughterhouses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro | RM100 | – | – |
| Small | RM400 | RM100 | RM100 |
| Medium | RM700 | RM400 | RM400 |
| Large | RM1,000 | RM700 | RM700 |
Other miscellaneous fees:
- RM100 per year per premise general food premises (restaurants, bakeries, kiosks, etc.)
- RM500 per year per kitchen/restaurant hotels (4-star and above)
- RM200 per year per kitchen/restaurant hotels (3-star and below)
- RM200 for a 2-year period additional menu / promotion (specific to food premises)
- RM50 per certificate reprinting certificates for local companies
- RM1,000 per certificate reprinting certificates for foreign-registered companies
- RM50 per poster halal logo posters (for food premises)
- RM100 per consignee consignment note
Note: The fees above don’t include third party charges, but we’re very reasonable, so get in touch 🙂
Steps in the application process
The SPHM application is done online via JAKIM’s MYeHALAL system.
From end-to-end, the process generally has seven main steps.
| Step | Action Required | Timeline |
| 1. Account Registration | Register an account on MYeHALAL | Usually verified within 24 working hours |
| 2. Online Submission | Submit online Halal application | Ensure form is filled accurately |
| 3. Document Submission | Submit supporting documents | Must submit within five (5) working days of online submission |
| 4. Fee Payment | Receive payment letter from JAKIM and settle processing and certification fees | Must pay within 14 working days of receiving the fee letter |
| 5. Field Audit | The field audit is scheduled and conducted by inspectors, and includes opening meeting, document review, field inspection, report preparation, and closing meeting | Set by JAKIM based on availability, so the premise must be ready at all times |
| 6. Corrective Action (if NCR issued) | If non-compliance found, owner must provide written response of corrections with supporting documents and photos | At officers’ discretion but typically up to 14 working days |
| 7. Final Decision & Issuance | Halal Confirmation Panel makes final decision | If approved Halal certificate is issued within five (5) working days |
Note: It’s critical that all requirements for Syariah-compliant processes and Muslim staffing are met on the production line during the field audit.
License validity periods
First-time applicants are generally issued a Halal certificate with the following validity periods:
- 1 year for slaughterhouses
- 2 years for F&B products, food premises, and foreign manufacturers
- 3 years for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, logistics, OEM, and medical devices
Businesses who demonstrate strict compliance over the next five years may receive an extended validity of five years the next time they renew their Halal certificate.
On that note, let’s wrap this up with post-certification compliance.
Post-certification compliance
Once certified, the Halal holder is responsible for continuous compliance including observing minimum staffing requirements, maintaining daily records, and implementing the appropriate IHMS.
JAKIM will often conduct both scheduled and unscheduled premise audits to ensure compliance, during which their officers must be given full access to the entire premise, documents, and the right to interview staff and take samples.
Non-compliance penalties
If officers find a premise violates Halal requirements, they may take action depending on severity.
There are three levels of non-conformance, each with increasingly severe penalties.
| Severity | Penalty |
| Minor | A warning or notice to fix issues within 14 days |
| Major | Immediate certificate suspension until corrective actions taken and panel reinstates status |
| Serious | Immediate certificate withdrawal, MYeHALAL account frozen ≥3 months, and related premises affected if business also acts as central kitchen |
If their Halal certificate is suspended or withdrawn, the business is immediately prohibited from using the Halal Malaysia logo or any halal expression or label.
A comprehensive list of examples of offences under each category can be found in Part 7 of JAKIM’s Halal Certification Manual–but the easier thing to do is just stay compliant!
Renewals
Renewals are also done via MYeHALAL and can be submitted as early as six months before expiry, and no later than three months beforehand.
No new products, premises, or menus can be added through a renewal application – instead, those must be done through a separate request.
Once payment is received, JAKIM conducts a field audit to verify continued compliance, and if everything is in order, may issue a certificate renewal.
That’s it from us, and we wish you all the best with getting your business Halal-certifed 🙂
Let MISHU help obtain your Halal certification
If you’re interested in pursuing Halal certification or renewal for your business, our team can help prepare and submit necessary documents, liaise with the authorities, and guide you through each step of the process. Get in touch!
FAQs on Malaysian Halal certification
- Who is eligible to apply for Malaysian Halal Certification?
💡Any business registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM), or another recognised government agency may apply. The business must also hold a valid Local Authority (PBT) operating licence and have been fully operational for at least three (3) months before applying. - What certification schemes are available under the Malaysian Halal Certification programme?
💡The available certification schemes include Food & Beverage Products, Cosmetic Products, Pharmaceutical Products, Food Premises, Consumer Goods, Logistics Services, Slaughterhouses, Contract Manufacturing (OEM), and Medical Devices. - Can a company produce both Halal and non-Halal products?
💡No. A company is generally not eligible if it produces, processes, distributes, or offers both halal and non-halal products within the same business. Companies are also prohibited from using the same brand name for both halal and non-halal products. - How many Muslim employees are required?
💡Medium and Large industries must employ at least two (2) permanent Malaysian Muslim employees in the processing area, while Small and Micro industries must have at least one (1) permanent Malaysian Muslim employee. - What is the difference between a Halal Executive and a Halal Supervisor?
💡A Halal Executive is required for Medium and Large industries and must be a Malaysian Muslim with the required qualifications or experience and a JAKIM-recognised certificate. A Halal Supervisor is generally required for Small industries to oversee halal compliance in processing areas. - What is the Malaysian Halal Management System (MHMS)?
💡MHMS is the management system used to ensure continuous halal compliance. Medium and Large industries must implement a Halal Assurance System (HAS) and establish an Internal Halal Committee, while Small and Micro industries must implement an Internal Halal Control System (IHCS). - How do I apply for Halal certification?
💡Applications must be submitted through the MYeHALAL online system. Supporting documents must then be submitted to the relevant competent authority within five (5) working days after the online application. - What happens during the Halal audit process?
💡The audit consists of an Adequacy Audit to review documents and a Field Audit, where qualified officers inspect the premises to verify compliance with both Shariah and technical halal requirements. - How much does Malaysian Halal certification cost?
💡Applicants pay a RM20 processing fee. Annual certification fees range from RM100 for Micro industries to RM1,000 for Large industries. Food premises generally pay RM100 annually per premise, while hotel kitchens pay RM200 or RM500 depending on the hotel’s star rating. - How long is a Malaysian Halal certificate valid?
💡Certificates are generally valid for 1 year (Slaughterhouses), 2 years (Food & Beverage Products and Food Premises), or 3 years (Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Goods, Logistics, OEM, and Medical Devices). Companies with an excellent compliance record may qualify for a five-year certification period. - When should I renew my Halal certificate?
💡Renewal applications should be submitted between six (6) months and three (3) months before the current certificate expires. Applications submitted after expiry are treated as new applications. - What product names or brand names are prohibited?
💡Names associated with non-halal products, such as ham, bacon, beer, rum, hot dog, and bak kut teh, are prohibited. Labels must also not contain divine names, religious symbols, or claims such as “Sunnah food” unless permitted by the relevant guidelines. - Where can the Malaysian Halal logo be displayed?
💡The Halal Malaysia logo may be displayed on certified product packaging and at certified food premises. For hotels, it may only be displayed inside certified kitchens and must not appear in hotel lobbies or at registration counters. The logo cannot be printed on business cards. - What are the categories of Halal non-compliance (NCR)?
💡Non-compliances are classified as Small (minor technical issues), Big (serious technical issues or misuse of the halal logo), or Serious (Shariah violations such as using non-halal ingredients or breaching halal slaughtering requirements). - What happens if a company fails to comply with Halal requirements?
💡Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, the competent authority may issue a warning, suspend the Halal certificate, or withdraw it entirely. Companies with withdrawn certificates may also be publicly listed on the Halal Malaysia Portal.