Detailed Halal Certification Process for Cosmetics 

The demand for halal-certified cosmetics is skyrocketing, with the American Halal Foundation (AHF) receiving a 132% increase in inquiries for halal certification in the cosmetics industry over the past three years.

But what does it take to get your cosmetics halal-certified? 

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the halal certification process for cosmetic manufacturers, and a dedicated section for contract manufacturers.

Stage 1. Initial Application & Documentation Requirements

The first step is to submit an application detailing the company information, products to be certified, and the manufacturing processes involved. 

Once your application is reviewed, you will receive an invoice and an agreement. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the certification, including the obligations and expectations from both the certifier and your manufacturing company.

Here are the major clauses present in the agreement: 

• Scope of certification 
• Responsibilities of both parties
• Duration of the certification
• Renewal and audit requirements
• Confidentiality clauses

Stage 2. Technical Review of Raw Material Compliance

You will next be required to fill out an ingredients spreadsheet, providing comprehensive details about each ingredient used in your products, including:

• Name of the raw material
• Material description
• Principal producer or supplier
• Country of origin
• Product specifications (chemical, animal-derived, etc.)

You may need to provide additional documents, such as on a case-by-case basis:

• Certificates of analysis (COAs) for raw materials
• Halal certificates from suppliers
• Halal suitability statement(s)

The audit team will subsequently review the submitted information to ensure that all ingredients comply with halal standards. This review focuses on:

• Absence of non-halal (forbidden) substances
• Proper sourcing and handling of materials
• Risk of cross-contamination with non-halal substances

If any ingredients or processes do not meet halal standards, the audit team will provide feedback, and you’ll be required to make necessary adjustments.

Step 3: Establish Halal Standards

With guidance from your certifying body, such as AHF, you will then need to establish a comprehensive Halal Manual and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 

These documents will serve as the backbone of your halal operations, ensuring that all processes adhere strictly to halal standards.

You may have to develop a comprehensive Halal Assurance System (HAS) manual that outlines the policies and procedures the company will follow to maintain halal integrity. This manual should include:

• Company’s halal policy
• Organizational structure related to halal compliance
• Procedure for sourcing and verification of halal ingredients
• Halal Critical Control Points (HCCP) plan
• Training programs for staff on halal compliance
• Documentation and record-keeping practices

Stage 4. Pre-Audit Preparation

Next, you should prepare for the upcoming halal facility audit by ensuring all documentation is in order and that the facility is in compliance with halal standards outlined earlier. 

Before the formal facility audit, a preparatory meeting is also held to discuss any non-compliances noted during the document review phase. 

This step is crucial for ironing out any potential issues and ensuring that your facility is fully prepared for the final audit.

Stage 5. Facility Audit

The halal auditor next conducts an inspection of the manufacturing facility. This audit largely involves:

• Verifying that measures are in place to prevent cross-contamination.
• Reviewing SOPs to ensure that production processes adhere to halal standards.
• The cleanliness and segregation practices in the facility
• Ensuring that quality control measures are in place to maintain halal integrity.

Here is the audit scope:

• Document Verification: The auditor will verify that all SOPs, halal manuals, and records are being followed as documented. This includes checking that cleaning protocols, ingredient sourcing, and handling procedures align with the halal standards set out in your documentation.
• Staff Training: Key personnel, including those responsible for production, quality control, and halal compliance are trained to understand halal procedures and their role in maintaining compliance.
• Facility Walkthrough: The auditor will conduct a walkthrough of the entire facility, focusing on key areas such as production lines, storage areas, and quality control labs.

The audit typically takes one day to complete, depending on the size and complexity of your operations. Scheduling the audit usually takes 1-2 weeks.

Follow-Up Audit: If any non-compliance issues are identified, the company must implement corrective actions and provide evidence of these actions to the certification body. A follow-up audit may be required to ensure that the corrective actions have been effectively implemented.

Stage 6. Issuance of Halal Certificate

Once the facility audit is completed, the audit findings, along with all supporting documentation, are submitted to the audit team for review. The committee will assess the audit report and ensure that all criteria for halal certification have been met.

Once the audit team is satisfied with the findings, they will approve the issuance of the halal certificate.

Validity Period: 

The halal certificate is typically valid for 1-3 years, during which period your company must maintain ongoing compliance with halal standards.

Use of Halal Logo: 

The certificate grants you the right to use the halal logo on your products, packaging, and marketing materials, signifying to consumers that your products meet halal standards.

Read More: Halal Symbol: More Than Just a Logo 

Stage 7. Post-Certification:

As the expiration date of your halal certificate approaches, you will need to apply for renewal. The renewal process generally involves a reassessment of your documents and facility, similar to the initial certification process.

Considerations for Contract Manufacturers (CMs) in Halal Certification

Contract Manufacturers  play a crucial role in the supply chain of halal-certified cosmetics, especially when the brand owner maintains control over the product formulation. 

Here’s what contract manufacturers need to know about getting their facilities halal certified:

1. Facility-Level Compliance

For contract manufacturers, the critical aspect of halal certification revolves around the manufacturing environment. 

This includes ensuring that all operations within the facility adhere to halal requirements. Key focus areas include:

• Cleanliness and Hygiene: Facilities must maintain high levels of cleanliness, similar to other quality standards such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Equipment used in production should be free from any contaminants, especially those that are considered non-halal (forbidden) under Islamic law, such as pork derivatives or alcohol.
• Segregation: Strict segregation between halal and non-halal materials is essential to prevent cross-contamination. This involves using dedicated equipment, storage spaces, and clear labeling practices to differentiate between halal and non-halal items.
• Sanitation Procedures: Contract manufacturers should implement rigorous cleaning protocols that align with halal standards, especially when switching between halal and non-halal production runs. The cleaning agents themselves should be scrutinized to ensure they are free from non-halal ingredients.

Documentation and Traceability: Maintaining detailed records of cleaning procedures, ingredient sourcing, and production runs is vital for ensuring halal compliance. These records will be reviewed during the halal facility audit.

2. Integration with Existing Quality Systems

Many contract manufacturers already adhere to quality systems such as GMP, ISO, or HACCP. The good news is that halal certification requirements align closely with these existing standards. 

The addition of halal requirements is usually complementary and involves integrating specific protocols related to:

• Halal Raw Material Handling: Procedures to verify and document that incoming raw materials are halal-compliant.
• Halal Critical Control Points (HCCP): Identifying and controlling points in the production process that are critical to maintaining halal status.
• Staff Training on Halal Compliance: Training programs for employees, emphasizing their roles in maintaining halal integrity during production and handling processes.

3. Halal Production Facility Registration

To market their services to brands seeking halal certification, contract manufacturers must have their facilities registered and approved by a recognized halal certification body like the American Halal Foundation (AHF). This involves:

• Facility Audit and Approval: A halal auditor will inspect the contract manufacturer’s facility to ensure compliance with all halal standards. This process includes reviewing SOPs, examining storage and handling practices, and conducting a facility walkthrough.
• Marketing Advantage: Once a facility is approved, contract manufacturers can market themselves as halal certified facilities to attract brands wanting to sell into the growing halal market.

4. Ongoing Compliance and Renewal

Contract manufacturers must ensure that any changes in their production processes, equipment, or ingredients continue to meet halal standards. 

Regular audits and periodic renewals (1 or 3 years) of the halal certificate will be required, mirroring the protocols seen in other quality management systems.

Additional Considerations for Cosmetic Manufacturers

Here are some additional considerations for cosmetic manufacturers to have when seeking halal certification:

• In cosmetics, particular attention must be given to the sources of ingredients, especially those that may be derived from animals, such as glycerin or collagen. To get halal-certified, manufacturers must ensure all animal-derived ingredients are sourced from halal animals and processed according to halal standards.

• Certain types of alcohol, particularly those used as solvents or in perfumery, may be permissible under specific conditions, typically if their concentration is below 0.5%.

• Cross-contamination with non-halal substances, even in trace amounts, can render a product non-halal. Implement stringent controls to prevent contamination at every stage of production, from raw material handling to final packaging.

Read More: Why Halal Certification is Essential for Your Cosmetics Business 

Wrapping Up

By following the structured steps outlined in this guide and collaborating closely with the American Halal Foundation (AHF), you will ensure your products meet the highest halal standards. 

Have more questions? Schedule a call with our halal certification experts today! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can animal-derived ingredients be used in halal-certified cosmetics?

A: Yes, but only if the animal-derived ingredients come from animals that have been slaughtered according to Islamic rites. Common animal-derived ingredients in cosmetics, such as collagen, glycerin, or keratin, must be sourced from halal-certified animals. Ensure that all animal-based ingredients are thoroughly documented and traceable.

Q2. How do I ensure that my raw materials are halal-compliant?

A: To ensure your raw materials are halal-compliant, you must source ingredients from suppliers who can provide halal certification or documentation verifying that their products meet halal standards. It’s also crucial to verify that there is no cross-contamination with non-halal materials during storage, handling, and transportation.

Q3. Is AHF halal certification for cosmetics recognized internationally?

A: Yes, AHF’s halal certification is recognized internationally and also accredited by relevant authorities in global target markets. Learn more here! 

Q4. How does the halal certification process apply to contract manufacturers?

A: Contract manufacturers primarily need to focus on ensuring their facility complies with halal standards, which mainly includes preventing cross-contamination and maintaining appropriate sanitation procedures.