Foreign Halal Certification Body (FHCB): JAKIM's requirements for recognition.

Legal responsibility: who can be an FHCB?

JAKIM first looks at who owns the body and how it is set up in its own country.

• Owned by MuslimsThe organisation is owned by Muslims.
• A registered legal bodyIt is a recognised and registered legal body in its country of origin.
• Its own logo or markIt has its own logo or mark that identifies the body.
• Muslim countries with no FHCBWhere a Muslim country has no such body, the government appoints a body to verify or endorse the halal certificates.

JAKIM's requirements for recognised foreign halal certification bodies, presentation slides shared by MNS Modulaz (21 Oct 2026)

How must the body be structured? For Islamic integrity.

The organisation's structure must cover four things in its halal certification:

• PoliciesOn how halal certification is run
• DelegationOf authority to competent committees or individuals, where needed
• SupervisionOf how the halal policies and procedures are carried out
• DecisionsOn halal certification

Its structure and operation must give confidence in its Islamic responsibility and integrity. It must be organised and run so that Muslims are safeguarded from receiving non-halal products or services, and its activities must not compromise Islamic integrity and credibility.

JAKIM's requirements for recognised foreign halal certification bodies, presentation slides shared by MNS Modulaz (21 Oct 2026)

Management and operations: a working system, at least 6 months old.

• At least 6 months in operationThe body has been running its halal certification system for at least 6 months.
• An office, in its own countryIt operates from an office in a legal building, and within its country of origin.
• Records of what it certifiesIt keeps records of the certified abattoirs or food processing plants under its supervision.
• A documented halal systemIt has systematic administration and a documented halal policy, programme, procedures and guidelines: for example a Halal Assurance System, a halal training programme, a halal traceability system and a halal monitoring system.
• JAKIM's standardsIt agrees to comply with the standards and procedures for halal certification that JAKIM recommends or approves for imported products.

JAKIM's requirements for recognised foreign halal certification bodies, presentation slides shared by MNS Modulaz (21 Oct 2026)

Which personnel does an FHCB need? Muslim, competent and its own.

The body must have a sufficient number of competent Muslim personnel who practise Islamic values. Its shariah auditors and experts need an Islamic background and education in halal, and the body must have a permanent shariah board.

How many auditors does it need?

• 3 auditorsMore than 10 plants: 2 shariah and 1 technical
• 2 auditorsFewer than 10 plants: 1 shariah and 1 technical

The body may not appoint an external or third-party organisation for auditing, supervision or monitoring, and it must tell JAKIM if it appoints auditors who are not its own permanent staff.

JAKIM's requirements for recognised foreign halal certification bodies, presentation slides shared by MNS Modulaz (21 Oct 2026)

Monitoring and the annual report: staying on JAKIM's list.

• Up-to-date monitoring recordsThe body keeps current records of its monitoring and supervision of the abattoirs, processing plants and premises it certifies.
• Social commitment and zakatIt has a commitment and a zakat contribution to the Muslim communities in its country, as part of its responsibility and dakwah.
• An annual report to JAKIMIt submits an annual report. If it does not, JAKIM gives a reminder to submit within two weeks; if it still fails, JAKIM gives a notice of withdrawal within two weeks, and the body is delisted and removed from JAKIM's website.

Every recognised body is on JAKIM's list; the register of recognised bodies gives the count for every country or region.

JAKIM's requirements for recognised foreign halal certification bodies, presentation slides shared by MNS Modulaz (21 Oct 2026)

Meat and animal-based products: JAKIM and DVS both inspect.

All meat and animal-based products exported to Malaysia must be halal. The Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (DVS) is the competent authority for importing meat and meat-based products.

1. JAKIM + DVSFor import approval, DVS and JAKIM inspect or audit the abattoirs and processing plants: DVS for animal health and food safety, JAKIM for the halal aspects.
2. StandardsThe halal inspection uses the Malaysian Standard MS 1500 (Halal Food: production, preparation, handling and storage) and the Malaysian Protocol for the Halal Meat and Poultry Productions. The plants must comply with both.
3. ListingOnce both departments approve, the abattoirs and processing plants are listed on Malaysia's approved-plant list.
4. FHCBThe FHCB monitors and supervises halal matters at the plant.

JAKIM's requirements for recognised foreign halal certification bodies, presentation slides shared by MNS Modulaz (21 Oct 2026)

Working with MNS Modulaz: FHCB development and training.

MNS Modulaz Sdn. Bhd. (SSM 202401031735) is a halal consultancy and training company in Bukit Beruntung, Selangor, Malaysia, and one of JAKIM's strategic partners. For a body abroad that wants JAKIM recognition, it helps build and align the body to JAKIM's specifications.

• FHCB developmentStandard operating procedures, audit governance and an operating framework in line with JAKIM's guidelines, ready for JAKIM's evaluation.MNS Modulaz
• Halal Overseas TrainingHalal training for foreign halal certification bodies, and advice to halal certification bodies on halal matters.MNS Modulaz

A factory abroad that wants JAKIM's own certificate takes the other route: the Halal International Program. For a company in Malaysia, a JAKIM certificate vs a recognised foreign certificate sets out the difference.