How to Apply for Halal Certification: A Comprehensive Guide for SMEs

Navigating the Halal certification process can seem daunting, but it’s a powerful strategy for businesses aiming to expand their reach and cater to Muslim consumers. At Counto, we’re dedicated to simplifying this process for SMEs, small business owners, and entrepreneurs. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps and requirements, helping you enhance your competitive advantage and meet diverse customer needs.

Introduction to Halal Certification

Halal certification verifies that your products and services comply with Islamic dietary laws. This certification is crucial for businesses like restaurants, catering services, and manufacturing facilities, enhancing brand reputation and opening up lucrative international markets.

Starting Your Application through GoBusiness Licensing

All applications for Muis Halal certification must be initiated through the GoBusiness Licensing portal. This streamlined platform simplifies the application process by providing a step-by-step guide. It was updated on 14 March 2022 to include features like auto-renewal submissions and an offline payment process, enhancing the overall user experience.

Application Prerequisites:

• Valid Licence: You must have an SFA/NEA/HSA licence.
• Halal Team Leadership: The Halal team leader and a Muslim representative must have completed the Halal Foundation Programme (Level 1).
• Operational Premises: Your operations at the premises should have already commenced.

Key Application Types

• New Applications: Initially, pay 100% of the application fee and 40% of the certification fee, followed by the remaining 60% of the certification fee.
• Amendment Applications: Start without a fee, with any applicable fees due at the second stage.
• Renewal Applications: No initial fee with the total certification fee due in the second stage.

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Halal Team Competency: Key Roles and Certification Process

An essential component of obtaining and maintaining Halal certification is the formation and continuous training of your Halal team. This team plays a crucial role in ensuring that all operations within your business comply with Halal standards as set by the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis).

Key Roles in the Halal Team

The structure and roles within the Halal team are designed to ensure rigorous oversight and implementation of Halal practices:

1. Owner Representative: This is typically the business owner or someone authorised to act on their behalf. This role is vital for leadership and decision-making in Halal-related processes.
2. Muslim Personnel: This team member must profess Islam and is engaged by the owner to help maintain the integrity of Halal practices within the business.
3. Halal Team Leader: A management-appointed individual who leads the Halal team. This person has been assessed for competency in Halal practices by Muis and is responsible for implementing Halal certification conditions and addressing any issues of non-compliance immediately.
4. Halal Assurance Officer: Also a Muslim who has been assessed for Halal competency, this team member supports the Halal Team Leader in ensuring ongoing compliance with all Halal requirements.

Halal Competency Assessment (HCA)

As of March 2023, Muis requires a Halal Competency Assessment for key personnel involved in the Halal certification process. This assessment aims to ensure that individuals are well-versed and competent in managing Halal compliance effectively.

Assessment Details:

• Cost: $125 (before applicable GST)
• Format: 50 computer-based multiple choice questions
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Passing Mark: 70% (35 out of 50 questions correct)
• Venue: Blk 26 Boon Lay Way #01-85, Tradehub21 Singapore 609970
• Registration: For more details or to register, visit the HCA website or contact support via email at [email protected].

The HCA is crucial as it replaces the assessment portion of the previous Halal Foundation Programme (HFP) and current Halal Certification Training (Foundation Level). Upon passing the HCA, individuals are awarded an HCA certificate, which is valid for 5 years. To ensure continued competency, it is necessary for personnel to pass subsequent HCAs every 5 years, coinciding with the certificate’s validity.

Detailed Requirements for Securing Halal Certification

Achieving certification requires meeting several stringent criteria to comply with the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS Halal) Certification Conditions:

1. Halal Ingredients and Materials: All raw materials, additives, and processing aids must be Halal, listed on the MUIS eHalal System, and supported by appropriate documentation.
2. Facility Layout: Submit a floor plan that clearly defines different sections for handling Halal items, ensuring no cross-contamination with non-Halal items.
3. Staffing Requirements: Employ at least two Muslim staff, with one acting as a representative on the Halal team.
4. Compliance to HalMQ: Adhere to the 10 principles of the Singapore MUIS Halal Quality Management System, including establishing a dedicated Halal team to ensure ongoing compliance.

Certification Audit and Ongoing Inspections

Post-application submission and fee payment, a certification audit will be conducted at your premises by MUIS. Upon passing this audit and settling the balance of the certification fees, your Halal certificate will be issued. To maintain certification, MUIS will perform unannounced inspections periodically to verify compliance.

Maintaining and Renewing Your Certification

Keeping your certification details current is crucial. Any changes in your business details must be updated via GoBusiness. Remember to submit renewal applications 60-120 days before your certification expires, or opt for an auto-renewal to ensure continuous compliance.

Benefits of Halal Certification

• Global Market Access: Tap into an expanding Halal market worth over US$2.1 trillion.
• Consumer Trust: Provides Muslim consumers worldwide with greater assurance of your compliance with Halal practices.
• Enhanced Business Image: Demonstrates your commitment to diverse consumer needs, significantly boosting your company’s reputation.

Experience the Counto advantage

Counto is the trusted provider of accounting, tax preparation and CFO services for startups and SMEs. Get accounting plans that combine bookkeeping with corporate tax filing to help you stay compliant at an affordable price. To learn more, speak to us directly on our chatbot, email us at [email protected], or contact us using this form.

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