Global Halal Certifiers Directory

Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics — Indonesian Ulema CouncilLPPOM MUI

Indonesia

LP POM MUI (Lembaga Pengkajian Pangan, Obat-obatan, dan Kosmetika Majelis Ulama Indonesia), the Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics of the Indonesian Ulema Council, is the operational certification arm of MUI. Established to conduct halal audits and issue halal certificates on behalf of MUI, LP POM MUI has certified thousands of domestic and multinational products across food ingredients, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics for the Indonesian market. LP POM MUI operates an accredited laboratory and inspection infrastructure, and its certificates have historically served as the primary halal credential required for products sold in Indonesia. Following the implementation of Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Law, LP POM MUI operates as an accredited Halal Inspection Body (LPH) within the BPJPH-led framework. Its audit expertise and MUI fatwa integration make it a critical partner for companies seeking Indonesian halal market access.

The SFDA Halal Center is Saudi Arabia primary halal food certification authority, mandating halal compliance for all food and cosmetic products sold in the Kingdom. Its approval is essential for any company exporting to Saudi Arabia.

Majlis Ugama Islam SingapuraMUIS

Singapore

MUIS (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura), the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, is a statutory board established under the Administration of Muslim Law Act. As Singapore's sole government-backed halal certification authority, MUIS issues the Singapore Halal Certificate for food establishments, food manufacturers, food importers, and abattoirs operating in or exporting to Singapore. MUIS operates the Foreign Halal Certification Bodies Programme (CHARM), which recognises select overseas certification bodies whose standards align with Singapore's requirements. MUIS certification is widely trusted across Southeast Asia and is recognised by key Muslim-majority markets including Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council states. For food exporters targeting Singapore's foodservice and retail sectors, MUIS certification is the essential compliance benchmark and a gateway credential to the broader Southeast Asian halal market.

The Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 2010 under the auspices of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey. SMIIC serves as the technical standards body for all 57 OIC member states, developing and publishing harmonised standards covering halal food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, logistics, tourism, and related sectors. SMIIC's OIC/SMIIC halal standard series — including OIC/SMIIC 1 (General Guidelines on Halal Food), OIC/SMIIC 2 (Halal Cosmetics), OIC/SMIIC 3 (Halal Pharmaceuticals), and OIC/SMIIC 4 (Halal Certification Bodies) — forms the internationally agreed technical baseline for halal certification across OIC member states. These standards are adopted or referenced by national halal authorities in Malaysia (JAKIM), Indonesia (BPJPH), Saudi Arabia (SFDA), UAE (ESMA), Turkey (HAK), and dozens of other member states. As a standards body rather than a certification body, SMIIC does not issue halal certificates directly to manufacturers. Instead, it works with national accreditation bodies and certification organisations within OIC member states to ensure that halal certification practices are technically consistent, credible, and mutually recognisable across the Muslim world — facilitating trade between OIC economies whose combined GDP exceeds USD 8 trillion. SMIIC is closely affiliated with Turkey's Halal Accreditation Agency (HAK), which serves as the primary accreditor for SMIIC-aligned certification bodies. SMIIC also collaborates with the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO), the International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF), and regional standards bodies across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. For certification bodies, manufacturers, and trade policy professionals, SMIIC standards represent the most authoritative technical reference framework for building globally recognised halal compliance programmes that will be accepted across the widest possible range of Muslim consumer markets.

MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia), the Indonesian Ulema Council, is Indonesia's highest Muslim scholars authority, established in 1975. MUI issues halal fatwas that form the religious foundation for halal certification in Indonesia, and its operational arm LP POM MUI (Lembaga Pengkajian Pangan, Obat-obatan, dan Kosmetika) has historically been the country's principal halal certification body for food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. MUI's halal certificates are recognised internationally across Muslim-majority markets including Malaysia, the GCC, and OIC member states. While BPJPH now administers the formal certification process following Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Law, MUI retains its role in issuing binding halal fatwas without which certification cannot be granted. For exporters and manufacturers, MUI recognition remains a trusted and widely accepted signal of halal integrity in global Muslim consumer markets.

Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk HalalBPJPH

Indonesia

BPJPH (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal), the Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency, is Indonesia's government authority responsible for halal certification, operating under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Established under Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, BPJPH took over halal certification responsibility from MUI's LP POM and has been phasing in mandatory halal labelling across all product categories sold in Indonesia. From 2024, halal certification became compulsory for food, beverages, and related products in the world's largest Muslim-majority country by population. BPJPH accredits both domestic and foreign halal inspection bodies (LPH) and works with MUI for fatwa issuance. For any company exporting food, cosmetics, or consumer goods to Indonesia's 270-million-strong market, BPJPH certification is now a legal requirement and a fundamental commercial credential.

The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) is the official standards body of the Gulf Cooperation Council, established in 2001 and headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. GSO develops and publishes harmonised standards for all six GCC member states — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman — including the foundational halal food and consumer product standards that govern halal compliance across the Gulf region. GSO's halal standards series (GSO 05/FDS, GSO 1931, and related technical regulations) forms the unified regulatory framework that all halal product exporters must satisfy for market entry into any GCC country. GSO standards are aligned with OIC/SMIIC halal standards and are referenced by SFDA (Saudi Arabia), ESMA (UAE), PAFN (Kuwait), and other GCC national authorities in their import compliance programmes. GSO participates in international standards development through ISO, Codex Alimentarius, and SMIIC. For exporters targeting the combined GCC halal food market — one of the world's largest by import value — understanding and complying with GSO standards is the essential starting point.

SMIIC is the OIC-affiliated standards body headquartered in Istanbul. It develops OIC/SMIIC halal standards used across 57 Muslim-majority nations and drives mutual recognition between national halal certification bodies.

Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of AmericaIFANCA

United States

IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America), established in 1982, is North America's leading and most internationally recognised halal certification organisation. Headquartered in the United States, IFANCA certifies food products, food ingredients, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and pharmaceuticals for compliance with Islamic dietary law. Its crescent-M halal mark is accepted by import authorities and Muslim consumers across more than 50 countries, including Malaysia (JAKIM-recognised), Singapore (MUIS-recognised), and Gulf Cooperation Council markets. IFANCA operates a rigorous audit and inspection programme and provides halal training and education to manufacturers. For North American and multinational companies seeking to access global halal markets, IFANCA certification is the benchmark credential that bridges domestic production standards with international Muslim consumer expectations. IFANCA Europe extends this reach across the European Union.

GCC Accreditation CenterGAC

GCC Region

The GCC Accreditation Center (GAC) is the official accreditation body of the Gulf Cooperation Council, established in 2005 and headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. GAC operates under the mandate of the GCC Secretariat General to provide accreditation services to conformity assessment bodies — including calibration laboratories, testing laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies — across all six GCC member states: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. In the context of halal certification, GAC plays a pivotal structural role: it accredits the halal certification bodies that are authorised to issue halal certificates recognised across the GCC region. Any international certification organisation seeking GCC-wide recognition for its halal certificates must obtain or align with GAC accreditation. This makes GAC a de facto gateway for exporters targeting the combined GCC food and consumer goods import market, which exceeds USD 50 billion annually. GAC is a signatory member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), giving its accreditation decisions international standing under the multilateral recognition arrangement (MLA/MRA) framework. GAC also holds a mutual recognition agreement with Russia's accreditation body and participates in the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) network. GAC accreditation aligns with OIC/SMIIC halal standards and the GSO (GCC Standardization Organization) halal framework, ensuring that accredited certification bodies meet the technical and procedural requirements applied uniformly across GCC markets. For certification bodies seeking to issue certificates accepted in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, GAC accreditation is the essential credential. For exporters and manufacturers, understanding which certification bodies hold GAC accreditation is critical when selecting a halal certifier for GCC market access — particularly for high-value food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics exports.

Saudi Food and Drug Authority / Saudi Halal CenterSFDA

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's national regulatory authority responsible for the safety and compliance of food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics. The SFDA's Halal Center sets and enforces halal standards for all products sold within Saudi Arabia, making SFDA compliance a mandatory requirement for food and cosmetic exporters seeking entry into the Saudi market. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest halal product importers, and SFDA approval is a critical prerequisite for GCC market access. The authority works in coordination with accredited halal certification bodies globally to verify that imported products meet Islamic dietary and manufacturing requirements. For manufacturers and exporters targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council region, SFDA halal recognition is an indispensable commercial and regulatory credential.

The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) is the United Arab Emirates' national standards body, established in 2001 under Federal Law No. 28 of 2001. ESMA is the UAE's primary authority for setting technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment requirements across all regulated product categories, including halal food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. ESMA's UAE.S 2055 halal standard series (UAE.S 2055-1 for food, UAE.S 2055-2 for cosmetics) forms the regulatory backbone for halal product compliance in the UAE. Products sold under a halal claim in the UAE must comply with these standards, enforced through ESMA's product registration and market surveillance programmes. ESMA accredits conformity assessment bodies and halal certification organisations authorised to issue certificates recognised for UAE market entry. Given the UAE's position as one of the world's leading halal product importers and re-export hubs — particularly through Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone — ESMA accreditation or ESMA-aligned halal certification is a critical commercial requirement for food and consumer goods exporters targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council region. The UAE halal food market alone is estimated at over USD 20 billion annually. ESMA operates within the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) framework, meaning UAE standards are harmonised across all six GCC member states. ESMA is also aligned with OIC/SMIIC halal standards and participates in the International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF). Its certificates and recognised certifier lists are referenced by Saudi Arabia (SFDA), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman in their import compliance assessments. For exporters of food, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals targeting the UAE and wider GCC markets, obtaining certification from an ESMA-accredited body is the fastest route to regulatory compliance and consumer trust in the Arab world's most cosmopolitan market.

The MUIS Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (FHCB) Programme, also known as the CHARM (Certification Halal Recognition for Moderation) scheme, is administered by MUIS (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura) and manages the recognition of overseas halal certification bodies whose certificates are accepted for products imported into Singapore. MUIS established the FHCB programme to provide importers and consumers in Singapore with a clear, government-backed list of internationally recognised certification bodies, reducing the need for re-certification of already-certified products. Approved FHCB bodies include major global certifiers from the US (IFANCA, ISA), Europe (HQC, HFA), Australia (AFIC, ANIC, ICCAS), South Africa (SANHA), and across Asia. MUIS operates FHCB in coordination with JAKIM (Malaysia) and BPJPH (Indonesia) to align Southeast Asian halal recognition frameworks. For international certification bodies, obtaining FHCB approval is a critical commercial credential, as Singapore's food import market is highly developed and Singapore-accepted certificates carry weight in broader ASEAN and regional trade contexts.

The Gulf Accreditation Centre (GAC) operates under the GCC Secretariat General and serves as the official accreditation body for all six Gulf Cooperation Council member states — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. GAC accredits halal certification bodies authorised to issue certificates recognised across the GCC region, making GAC accreditation a de facto gateway for exporters targeting the combined GCC halal market exceeding USD 50 billion annually. GAC is a signatory to IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements.

Halal Accreditation AgencyHAK

Turkey

The Halal Accreditation Agency (HAK) is Turkey's national halal accreditation authority, established in 2017 under the Turkish government and operating under the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). HAK is responsible for accrediting halal certification bodies operating in Turkey and for establishing mutual recognition agreements with international halal accreditation authorities, extending the acceptance of Turkish halal certificates globally. HAK operates within the OIC/SMIIC standards framework and has signed mutual recognition agreements with JAKIM (Malaysia), MUIS (Singapore), GAC (GCC Accreditation Center), EIAC (UAE), and numerous other national halal accreditation bodies. HAK accreditation is a prerequisite for halal certification bodies seeking to issue certificates recognised across OIC member state markets from a Turkish base. Given Turkey's position as a major global food exporter — with annual halal food export revenues exceeding USD 5 billion — and as the host of SMIIC, HAK plays a pivotal role in shaping the international halal certification landscape and facilitating Turkish food export market access.

The Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) is the UAE's national accreditation body, established in 2007 and operating under the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. EIAC provides accreditation services to laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies operating in or seeking recognition from the UAE, in accordance with international standards including ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17020, ISO/IEC 17065, and related norms. In the halal sector, EIAC accredits halal certification bodies authorised to issue certificates recognised for UAE market entry under the ESMA regulatory framework. EIAC holds full member signatory status under the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), giving its accreditation decisions global standing. EIAC also maintains bilateral recognition agreements with accreditation bodies in Turkey (HAK) and across the GCC via GAC, making it a critical gateway for international certification bodies seeking UAE market recognition.