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Editorial note: Market figures cited in this article are estimates based on publicly available industry reports and may vary by source. HalalExpo.com aims to present the most current data available but readers should verify figures for business decisions. Sources include the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report, DinarStandard, and national halal authority publications.
ESMA — the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology — is the UAE federal body responsible for setting technical standards across industries. For halal food and consumer goods, ESMA administers the UAE.S 2055-1 standard, which defines halal requirements for food products imported into and sold within the UAE.
Compliance with UAE.S 2055-1 is mandatory for food products sold in the UAE that carry a halal claim. Non-compliant products can be refused entry at the border, pulled from retail shelves, or result in penalties for the importer.
UAE.S 2055-1 is a comprehensive standard that goes beyond simple ingredient review. It specifies:
Any food or beverage product that:
While technically voluntary for products not making a halal claim, in practice most UAE retailers and distributors require halal certification for any food product they stock. The UAE population is over 75% Muslim, and major retailers including Carrefour UAE, Lulu Hypermarket, and Union Coop have halal certification requirements for suppliers.
ESMA does not require all products to be certified by a UAE-based body. Instead, it maintains an official list of accepted foreign certification bodies. If your product is certified by a body on this list, that certificate is recognised for UAE market entry.
The acceptance list includes certifiers from over 40 countries. Key accepted bodies include:
| Country | Accepted Certifiers |
|---|---|
| Malaysia | JAKIM |
| Indonesia | BPJPH / MUI |
| Australia | AFIC, HCA, ANIC |
| New Zealand | FIANZ |
| UK | HMC, HFA, AHDB Halal |
| USA | IFANCA (generally accepted) |
| South Africa | MJC, NIHT, SANHA |
| Pakistan | PHDEC |
Important: The ESMA list is updated periodically. Always verify that your certifier is on the current list before quoting UAE buyers. The list is published on the ESMA website (esma.gov.ae).
If your product is certified by a body already on the ESMA acceptance list, you can generally proceed directly to UAE market entry. Your UAE importer will present the certificate at customs. This is the fastest and lowest-cost route for most exporters.
If your current certifier is not on the ESMA list, your certifier can apply to ESMA for recognition. This is a process undertaken by the certification body, not the individual company. The process involves submitting standards documentation, audit procedures, and accreditation evidence to ESMA for review. Timeline: 6–18 months.
For exporters who need UAE market access quickly and cannot wait for certifier recognition, the fastest path is to obtain a second certification from an already-accepted body. IFANCA (USA) and JAKIM (Malaysia) are both well-recognised in the UAE if you already have products certified in those markets.
| Route | Cost estimate | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Using existing accepted certifier | No additional cost | Immediate (certificate already held) |
| New certification with accepted body | $2,000–$8,000/year | 6–12 weeks |
| Certifier seeking ESMA recognition | Borne by certifier | 6–18 months |
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