Middle East Global Regulation

Halal means that which is permitted for use, consumption and handling under Islamic law (Sharia).

In cosmetics it is not simply a matter of checking particular ingredients; it involves reviewing whether the entire supply chain — from raw material selection through manufacturing, storage and transport — conforms to halal principles.

Both are important concepts in halal review, but they mean different things.

• Haram (forbidden)

Things whose use is clearly prohibited under Islamic law. Typical examples:

• Pork and pig-derived substances
• Animal blood
• Animals not slaughtered by the proper procedure
• Carnivorous animals and birds of prey
• Alcoholic drinks and intoxicating substances
• Najis (impure)

Substances that impair the state of ritual purity under Islamic law. Typical examples:

• Human excrement
• Blood
• Alcohol
• Carcasses of animals not properly slaughtered
• Pigs and dogs

Note: cleaning and purification requirements can differ according to the type of najis.

Depending on the country it can be mandatory or a condition of market access.

Some countries in particular are extending halal control to cosmetics.

• A leading example:

Indonesia — phased introduction of mandatory halal certification for cosmetics, with distribution potentially restricted where requirements are not met

Even where certification is not mandatory, it is increasingly required to secure consumer trust or as a condition of entry to distribution channels.

Each country operates designated certification bodies or government frameworks.

• Leading bodies:
• Indonesia: BPJPH and MUI
• Malaysia: JAKIM
• Saudi Arabia: SHC
• UAE: MoIAT

Recognition criteria and procedures differ by country, so requirements must be reviewed against the target export market.

It can be in some countries, but you must check whether a mutual recognition arrangement applies.

A Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) is an arrangement under which a country recognizes, in whole or in part, halal certification issued by a specified overseas certification body.

• Examples:
• Indonesia: recognizes certain overseas certification bodies
• Malaysia: recognizes certain overseas certification bodies

When selecting a certification body it is therefore important to first confirm whether it is recognized in the target export market.

It assesses the entire supply chain, not raw materials alone.

• A typical audit scope covers:
• Review of raw material suitability
• Manufacturing processes and equipment control
• Cleaning procedures
• Storage and transport control
• Suitability of packaging materials
• Documentation and change control systems

The essential question is whether a system is in place to maintain halal conformity continuously even when changes occur.

We recommend reviewing the following items first.

1. Identify the target export country and the required certification body

• 2. Review halal suitability for each raw material
• 3. Check manufacturing equipment and cleaning procedures
• 4. Obtain supporting documentation from suppliers
• 5. Establish change control and document management systems

Note: this FAQ is general guidance for understanding halal certification. Whether certification can actually be obtained depends on the system in each country, the criteria of the certification body and the characteristics of the product.