Why Us Halal certification
We come to the table as a partner rather than a service provider, combining our business expertise and professionalism with the well-established and profound services of Halal Certification Services (HCS) along with its trustworthy network of authorized auditors all over Europe and recognition all over the world.
Greekexports is the partner you are looking for the international expansion of your company.
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Halal? It is NOT only for meat!
Halal certification What is it
Halal certification is structured around the need of every Muslim to consume and use products that are religiously permissible, according to the Islamic Sharia. The certification ensures "Halal quality”, increases trust of Muslim consumers while providing to the companies the valuable entry to new markets and Muslim countries.
- The word "Halal" is of Arabic origin and means permissible, acceptable and the opposite word is "Haram".
- Halal certification is the passport for many industries to expand their export activities to new markets and Muslim countries.
- For Muslims, Halal certification means that the product is demonstrably permissible for consumption and therefore of increased trust and preference.
- The certification is mainly addressed to food, beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical industries and others whose production process may include prohibited – Haram ingredients (e.g., pork, alcohol).
- The certification of slaughterhouses and Halal meat processing industries is a special category (more info here).
- Certification services are provided for exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia (SA) and the Gulf Area which fall under different legislation (goto to service HAQ-GR).
Halal certification The certifier
Switzerland-based Halal Certification Services (HCS) https://halalcs.org has been providing certification services for more than three decades. Following accredited practices (Halal Assurance System) in line with ISO 17065/2012, HCS is a globally recognized Halal certification organization trusted by Muslim consumers.
- Halal quality assurance according to Islamic law.
- Certificate of global recognition.
- Proud member of the World Halal Food Council (www.whfc-halal.com).
- Officially recognized body by the relevant authorities of Indonesia (LPPOM MUI), Malaysia (JAKIM), Singapore (MUIS), Thailand (CICOT), Persian Gulf countries.
- Wide network of auditors consisting of qualified scientists with many years of experience, 2 of whom live permanently in Greece.
- Offices in Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Greece.
- Clientele includes more than 500 international companies such as Shell Aseol AG, Fuchs Lubritech, Nestlé, Givaudan, DSM, Nespresso, CSM, Maggi, Violife (Upfield) etc.
GREEKEXPORTS SMPC Around the World
90 Clients 2022
Halal certification What is it
Halal (meaning: allowable, acceptable, permitted) covers all aspects of life that need to be adhered to by its followers, including food consumption. For a product(s) to be Halal (compliant with Islamic Shari'ah) it must meet the requirements of Shari'ah as found in its sources. The two most important sources of Islamic Shari'ah are the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.
The Islamic dietary law stated that all foods are permitted to be consumed or traded (therefore halal), under normal circumstances, except for foods that are categorially being quoted in the Holy book of the Quran and the Hadith. The foods which are forbidden or prohibited are referred to as haram foods.
Haram – Forbitten food for human consumption
- Corps or inappropriately slaughtered Halal animals,
- Domesticated donkey, mules and elephants
- Swine or pork and its by-products
- Alcohol and intoxicants
- All plants which are poisonous
- Carnivorous animals with fangs such as lions, dogs, wolves or tigers
- Birds of prey such as eagles, falcons or owls
- Snakes
- Pests such as rats and scorpions
- Insects Blood and blood by-products
- Foods which are contaminated with the above products
For example, the reasons for forbidden dead animals and carrion are unfit for human consumption due to their decaying process leads to the formation of chemicals which are harmful to humans. Blood that is drained from an animal contains harmful hormones, bacteria and toxins, which are harmful to metabolism of human.
Meat is the most critical food category. A necessary condition to qualify the meat (which does not belong to the haram categories) as halal is that it has not come from a halal slaughter. In general, halal refers to the slaughter done by a Muslim butcher, with specific cuts and under specific conditions. Meat and slaughterhouses as special categories need special treatment, hereto an export to the Gulf countries where legislated criteria (GSO 993, GSO 2055) should be followed.
More information on GSO standards you can find here
Significance Why is it Important
Consuming Halal products is an important obligation of Muslims wherever they live. A large number of Muslims is living in countries, where Islam is not the dominant religion, such as India, Australia, Egypt, Bangladesh, China, the European countries, United States and Canada. Thus, the Muslim population provides a considerable market segment in modern food market.]
In 2021, out of the world’s total population, 1.9 billion (2021 World Population by Country), are Muslims, and Halal food is one of their main needs, which is being fulfilled through the Halal industry. Over time, the Halal industry is developing rapidly and gaining the confidence of non-Muslims due to its food safety, hygiene, and quality control. It is observed that Asian countries are more active. Still, Middle Eastern countries, and Western countries, especially in Europe, are also participating as major stakeholders in the Halal industry.
Ιn 2019 globally, Muslims spent about $ 1.13 trillion on food products, which is expected to increase by 3.5% annually. From 2019 to 2024, these expenditures are projected to reach $1.38 trillion (Malaysia, 2021).
To sum up, a halal certified industry could be able to gain space in a competitive market and establish itself to an international level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meat, meat products
Dairy products
Olives, Oils, fat, currants
Pies, pittes, fyllo, dough, salty snacks
Pastry, sweet snacks
Sauce, dressings, spreads, salsas, marmelade
Carbonates drinks, soft drinks, ice tea
Vegan, non-dairy, non-meat products alternative products
Aromatic compounds, premixes
Ready to eat meals
Canned food
Coffe and cocoa products
Spices, essential oils
If you are seeking out for ways to expand your export activities, the halal certification could be your passport to new markets. Not necessarily only Muslim markets, but also other markets where Muslim consumers are a big part of the population (more that 5% in many western countries) and play an important role on the local economy. Halal Certification Servises guarantees halal quality and deservedly has earned the trust of so many consumers worldwide.
In reality, during the certification procedure the materials contained in the products are assessed for their compatibility to Halal rules and the factory is inspected for its suitability to produce halal products. Same product, if is produced with different materials or in another factory, will not considered to be halal. At the end of the procedure Halal Certification Services GmbH issues certificates for the products and the production facilities.
Duration of the certification cycle usually takes from 2 up to 8 weeks
Duration of the certification cycle usually takes from 2 up to 8 weeks
No, those products cannot be certify as halal and cleaning is not an option. Halal products production should be completely seperated from porcine containing products.
Only if the total percentage of ethanol determined in the final product is less than 0,05%. The expectable ethanol limit varies between countries. For example, in the UAE there is a specific legislation GSO 2538.
Yes, audits are being held once per year before the issuance of the certificate.
Please fill the application form to get an offer. It can be found in the "get quote" button
The certificate of Halal Certification Services GmbH is recognised and approved in all countries that don't have a specific recognition legislation, e.g. European countries, America , Australia and many more. In countries like Qatar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapure, Tailand, S. Korea, Pakistan and others, that have a list of recognised bodies, either through registration or accreditation, HCS GmbH has concluded the procedure and is currently one of few few bodies that enjoys recognition everywhere.
Some other countries (like UAE and Saudi Arabia) have a special accreditation procedure only for some product categories (mainly meat) or for using the halal logo, along with an extra requirement for the halal body to be local or to operate a brach in that country. To fulfill these requirements Halal Assurance and Quality Greece (HAQ Greece) SMPC was set up in Greece in 2020, and was the first Greek Halal Certification Body that succeeeded in receiving the accreditation in September 2021.
As HAQ Greece has partners in neighbouring countries and those countries do not have an accredited certification body, the manufacturers in those countries can be serviced by HAQ Greece. Those countries include Romania, Cyprus, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Egypt where HAQ Greece has local partners.
To see more questions and answers regarding halal in GCC area click here