What is Halal?

Halal is an Arabic term meaning “permissible” or “allowed.”
In a business and certification context, halal refers to products that are produced, handled, and managed in a way that meets recognised Islamic requirements, while maintaining integrity, traceability, and transparency across the entire supply chain.

Halal certification is not only about religion it is a system-based assurance that confirms ingredients, processes, sanitation, storage, and documentation meet halal standards.

NZIDT HALAL POLICY

  • The core principle of halal certification is simple:

    Everything is considered halal unless it contains or is contaminated by non-halal (haram) elements.

    In practical terms, halal certification ensures that prohibited materials are excluded, and that halal integrity is protected from start to finish.

  • While most materials are permissible, certain categories are prohibited. These include:

    • Alcohol and intoxicants

    • Swine (pork) and its derivatives

    • Blood

    • Meat not slaughtered according to Islamic requirements

    • Carnivorous animals

    • Foods that have been contaminated with non-halal substances

    In addition, animal-derived ingredients, processing aids, enzymes, flavours, and additives must be carefully assessed to confirm their halal suitability.

  • Halal certification verifies that a business has effective systems in place to protect halal status across six key areas:

    1. Supply Chain & Ingredients

    All raw materials must be:

    • Clearly identified and traceable

    • Sourced from approved suppliers

    • Accompanied by appropriate documentation (e.g. halal suitability statements or certifications where applicable)

    Suppliers are required to notify the business of any changes that could affect halal status.

    2. Production & Processing

    Halal-certified production ensures that:

    • Only approved materials are used

    • Products are protected from cross-contamination

    • Production steps are documented and controlled

    • Any changes to formulation or process are reviewed before implementation

    Shared facilities can be halal certified when appropriate controls and sanitation procedures are in place.

    3. Sanitation & Hygiene

    Sanitation plays a critical role in halal compliance.

    This includes:

    • Documented cleaning procedures

    • Validation that prior non-halal residues are removed

    • Use of approved cleaning agents

    • Records demonstrating sanitation effectiveness

    Where production lines are shared, additional controls are required to protect halal integrity.

    4. Warehousing & Logistics

    Halal integrity must be maintained during:

    • Storage

    • Handling

    • Transport

    This involves clear segregation, appropriate labelling, documented handling procedures, and controls to prevent contamination during logistics and distribution.

    5. Documentation & Traceability

    Halal certification relies on clear and consistent records, including:

    • Ingredient and supplier documentation

    • Production and sanitation records

    • Training records

    • Product labels

    • Audit and verification documents

    This ensures transparency, accountability, and traceability throughout the product lifecycle.

    6. Labelling & Consumer Transparency

    Halal labelling must be:

    • Accurate

    • Clear

    • Not misleading

    The use of halal certification marks is controlled and must align with the approved certification scope. Labels must reflect how the product is produced and certified.

  • Businesses pursue halal certification to:

    • Access local and international halal markets

    • Meet customer and export requirements

    • Strengthen compliance and quality systems

    • Build trust with consumers

    • Demonstrate ethical and transparent practices

    Halal certification is recognised globally and is increasingly valued across multiple industries, including food manufacturing, hospitality, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and logistics.

READY TO LEARN MORE?

Whether you are new to halal or expanding into halal-certified markets, our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Our halal certification process is designed to be:

  • Clear

  • Structured

  • Efficient

  • Business-focused

We guide you from application through to certification, and beyond, ensuring halal requirements are integrated smoothly into your existing operations.