Question 1

What is halal certification and what does it confirm?

Accepted Answer

An independent assessment and determination that a product complies with the international halal standards followed by an estimated 2 billion consumers worldwide. It confirms - to retailers, regulators and buyers - that your ingredients, process and facility meet those requirements.

Question 2

What makes a product halal?

Accepted Answer

Everything is halal by default except a short list of prohibitions, captured by the "ABCD IS" rule: Alcohol & intoxicants, Blood, Carnivorous animals, Dead meat (not slaughtered per Islamic rites), food Immolated to idols, and Swine and its derivatives.

Question 3

Does my company need halal certification?

Accepted Answer

If you sell into halal markets, supply retailers or distributors that require it, or export to halal-requiring countries, certification verifies your compliance and unlocks those markets and contracts.

Question 4

Why get certified with AHF?

Accepted Answer

40+ years of experience, a single certificate accepted in 180+ countries, an ISO 17065-aligned process, and accreditation by leading authorities - JAKIM, BPJPH, GAC, EIAC, MUIS, CICOT, IMANOR and MOPH - plus membership of the World Halal Food Council.

Question 5

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Apply or request a quote online. AHF evaluates your products at no cost and with no obligation - you'll quickly know whether you're ready and what's involved.

Question 6

Is the initial evaluation really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There are no application fees; our technical staff assess your products free of charge before you commit to anything.

Question 7

What are the steps in the certification process?

Accepted Answer

In broad strokes: application → ingredient & product review → on-site audit → corrective actions (if any) → certificate issued. See the full breakdown in Certification Requirements.

Question 8

What happens during the halal audit?

Accepted Answer

An AHF auditor verifies your ingredients, suppliers, production process, sanitation, storage and labeling against AHF's halal standards - on site at your facility.

Question 9

What documents do I need to provide?

Accepted Answer

Typically ingredient lists, specifications and CoAs, supplier halal statements, SDS/TDS, a process flow and label artwork.

Question 10

Do all my suppliers and ingredients need to be halal certified?

Accepted Answer

Not all. Any animal-origin or high-contamination-risk ingredient must come from a halal-certified source; low-risk or plant-based materials may need only a declaration plus supporting documentation.

Question 11

Which halal standards does AHF certify to?

Accepted Answer

AHF's HCS-001 schemes, aligned with recognized international standards (GSO, SMIIC, Malaysia MS, Indonesia SNI and ISO/IEC). See AHF Halal Standards.

Question 12

Can I add products after I'm certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Contact your account executive with the new product details and they'll guide you through adding any qualifying products to your existing certificate.

Question 13

How long is a certificate valid, and how does recertification work?

Accepted Answer

Certificates are kept active through recertification - typically on an annual cycle.

Question 14

Are there any application fees?

Accepted Answer

No. Product evaluation is free and carries no obligation.

Question 15

What determines the cost of certification?

Accepted Answer

Cost is driven by your scope - the number of products and ingredients, the number of facilities, and the audit scope.

Question 16

How do I get a price or quote?

Accepted Answer

Request a quote online; AHF returns a tailored quote after reviewing your scope.

Question 17

Can I combine halal with other audits to save money?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Integrated audits - HACCP, SQF, GMP, Non-GMO, Vegan, gluten-free - through AHF's parent company reduce duplication and can cut costs by up to ~30%.

Question 18

Roughly how much does certification cost?

Accepted Answer

a tailored quote is free and fast - request one here.

Question 19

How long does halal certification take?

Accepted Answer

On average 6–8 weeks from application to certificate, depending on your scope and audit scheduling.

Question 20

Can you accommodate urgent deadlines?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many clients arrive with firm deadlines - RFPs, retail resets, pending government contracts - and AHF works to expedite where possible.

Question 21

How quickly can the audit be scheduled?

Accepted Answer

Audits are typically scheduled shortly after your documentation review is complete.

Question 22

When should I begin recertification to avoid a lapse?

Accepted Answer

Begin well before your expiry date so the renewal audit and certificate issuance finish before the current certificate ends.

Question 23

How do I verify that an AHF halal certificate is valid?

Accepted Answer

Confirm the certificate is current and not on AHF's Delisted Companies list. For positive confirmation of a specific certificate, contact AHF and we'll verify it directly.

Question 24

How can I find AHF-certified suppliers or ingredients?

Accepted Answer

Contact AHF with the category or ingredient you need and we'll point you to certified suppliers.

Question 25

Is a specific company currently AHF-certified?

Accepted Answer

Check that they are not on the Delisted Companies list, then contact AHF to confirm active status.

Question 26

How do I know if a certificate has been suspended or cancelled?

Accepted Answer

Check AHF's Delisted Companies list. Suspended, expired or cancelled certificates are not valid for halal claims or logo use.

Question 27

I'm a buyer doing supplier due diligence - how do I confirm halal status?

Accepted Answer

Ask the supplier for their current AHF certificate, confirm it's not delisted, then contact AHF to verify. We're glad to support procurement and due-diligence checks.

Question 28

Who is allowed to use the AHF halal logo?

Accepted Answer

Only actively certified companies, with written approval from AHF.

Question 29

How do I get my label or artwork approved?

Accepted Answer

Submit your label to your account executive. Once approved, you receive the official logo files for use on that product.

Question 30

Is it mandatory to put the logo on my packaging?

Accepted Answer

No. Certified companies have the right - but not the obligation - to display the AHF halal logo.

Question 31

What are the rules for displaying the logo?

Accepted Answer

Use the logo in its original form - no distortion, stretching or translation - in AHF black or green, or your own brand colors with sufficient contrast. See the logo guidelines.

Question 32

Can I keep using the logo if my certificate lapses?

Accepted Answer

No. The logo may not be used with an expired, suspended or cancelled certificate.

Question 33

Are kosher-certified products automatically halal?

Accepted Answer

No. Kosher permits some ingredients - such as alcohol - that are forbidden in halal, and the rules for animal derivatives differ. A separate halal assessment is required.

Question 34

How does private-label / third-party-manufacturer certification work?

Accepted Answer

AHF is a leader in private-label halal certification, certifying the manufacturer and product so your brand can carry the halal mark.

Question 35

Can co-manufacturing or shared facilities be certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AHF certifies co-manufacturers and shared facilities, with appropriate segregation and contamination controls in place.

Question 36

Do you certify for export to specific countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, GCC, etc.)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AHF's accreditations make its single certificate accepted across many countries, and export and batch certificates are available for specific shipments.

Question 37

What is a halal batch or export certificate, and when do I need one?

Accepted Answer

A batch or export certificate covers a specific shipment or production lot, often required by an importing country or customer. Contact AHF to arrange one.

Question 38

Can I transition my existing halal certificate to AHF?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The AHF Transition Program moves your certificate from a recognized body to AHF with minimal disruption.

Question 39

Do you work with startups and small companies?

Accepted Answer

Yes - through the AHF Halal Startup Gateway, designed for startups and small companies entering halal markets.

Halal Resources & FAQ

Guides, tools & key terms

What is Halal?

Certification Requirements

AHF Halal Standards

Logo Guidelines

Downloads & tools

Halal Suitability StatementTool

Document ChecklistPDF

ROI CalculatorTool

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