GuideJAKIM halal certification
How does JAKIM audit a factory outside Malaysia for halal certification?
By MNS Modulaz Sdn. Bhd.Updated
The short answer
JAKIM audits a factory outside Malaysia at the manufacturing plant itself. Its notice for international manufacturing says the audit lasts at least four days, two audit days and two days of round trip, covers one manufacturing address, and the applicant must accompany the auditors throughout the trip. The factory must run a Halal Assurance System, and the certificate is valid for 2 years.
From JAKIM's own documents; each rule below carries its clause.
For a factory outside Malaysia, the JAKIM halal audit is a trip: JAKIM's auditors travel to the plant, and the Malaysian applicant travels with them. JAKIM is Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia. This guide sets out what JAKIM's notice for international manufacturing says about the audit, and the site-audit procedure in JAKIM's Manual Procedure for Malaysia Halal Certification (MPPHM) 2020. That manual is written for companies producing in Malaysia (Procedure 1(3)), so confirm with JAKIM where an audit abroad differs.
Key takeaways
- JAKIM's auditors audit the manufacturing plant itself: at least two audit days plus two days of round trip.
- One audit covers one manufacturing address, and one application form covers one factory.
- The applicant, a company registered in Malaysia, must accompany the auditors throughout the trip.
- Under MPPHM 2020, a site audit has at least two auditors and runs from an opening meeting to a closing meeting.
- A certificate for international manufacturing is valid for 2 years.
On this page9
Does JAKIM audit a factory outside Malaysia?
Yes. JAKIM's notice for international manufacturing, which applies to applications from 1 January 2024, says an audit will be conducted at the manufacturing plant. The minimum is four days: two audit days and two days of round trip, limited to one manufacturing address.
JAKIM, Malaysian Halal Certifications Procedure for International Manufacturing: "An audit will be conducted at the manufacturing plant. The minimum duration of auditing must be at least four days i.e. 2 audit days and 2 days round trip and limited to one (1) manufacturing address only."
| Point | What JAKIM's notice says |
|---|---|
| Where | At the manufacturing plant |
| Minimum length | Four days: 2 audit days and 2 days round trip |
| Addresses per audit | One manufacturing address only |
| Who goes with the auditors | The applicant, throughout the audit trip |
| System the factory runs | Halal Assurance System |
| Certificate validity | 2 years |
Who goes with the auditors?
The applicant does. JAKIM's notice says the applicant shall be responsible to accompany the auditors throughout the audit trip. The applicant is a company registered in Malaysia, because the notice opens the application to five kinds of Malaysian company: a branch, a subsidiary, an importer, a distributor or trader, or an agent in Malaysia.
JAKIM notice: "Applicant shall responsible to accompany the auditors throughout the audit trip." "Application is opened for companies registered in Malaysia."
Who may apply, and every route for a company outside Malaysia, is on JAKIM halal certification for overseas companies.
What does the factory need in place before the audit?
A working Halal Assurance System. JAKIM's notice says the applicant or factory shall implement the Halal Assurance System, and points to two guidelines: MPPHM 2020 and the Malaysia Halal Management System (MHMS) 2020. The factory's layout plan and location map are among the documents sent with the application.
JAKIM notice: "The applicant/ factory shall implement the Halal Assurance System." Table 1, items 13 and 14
Under MPPHM 2020, Procedure 28(5), the company must be ready to be audited, give a short presentation on its application and have the documents and records ready. The full document list is in the documents an overseas manufacturer needs, and the fee in what JAKIM halal certification costs an overseas company.
MPPHM 2020, Procedure 28(5)
What does a JAKIM audit cover?
Under MPPHM 2020, Procedure 26(1), an audit covers the whole operation: the company profile, documents and records, raw materials, products, processing, storage, equipment, packaging and labelling, transport and distribution, the premises, workers, sanitation, worker facilities, training and the Malaysia Halal Management System. JAKIM may widen or narrow that scope for an application.
MPPHM 2020, Procedure 26(1)(a)-(o) and 26(2)
The auditors may go anywhere on the premises, interview anyone involved, and take photographs, copies of documents and samples as evidence. They may end the audit if the company does not cooperate or is not ready.
MPPHM 2020, Procedure 28(6) and 28(7)
What are the steps of the site audit?
MPPHM 2020, Procedure 28(1), sets five steps for a site audit, run by at least two auditors qualified in Islamic affairs and/or the relevant technical field.
- Opening meeting.
- Document check.
- Site inspection.
- Report preparation.
- Closing meeting.
The company receives a copy of the site audit report for its records and follow-up (Procedure 28(8)).
MPPHM 2020, Procedure 28(1), 28(2) and 28(8)
Before the trip, JAKIM tells the company the audit dates. Under Procedure 25(3), the company may not change them; if it has a reasonable need, it must tell JAKIM formally straight away.
MPPHM 2020, Procedure 25(1)-(4)
What happens after the audit?
If the auditors raise a nonconformance report (NCR), the company answers it in writing within the period set: a direct, specific answer on the corrective action taken, with supporting documents such as receipts, halal certificates and invoices, and photographs. JAKIM may order a follow-up audit or re-audit after the corrective action, and it is held once only for an application.
MPPHM 2020, Procedure 30(1)-(2) and Procedure 29(1), 29(5)
JAKIM's notice says all certification for international manufacturing is valid for 2 years.
JAKIM notice: "All certification is valid for 2 years."
| Stage | What happens | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Before | Audit dates notified | MPPHM 25 |
| Audit trip | At least 2 audit days at the plant, applicant accompanying | JAKIM notice |
| Site audit | Opening meeting to closing meeting, at least two auditors | MPPHM 28 |
| Findings | NCR answered in writing with evidence | MPPHM 30 |
| Follow-up | A follow-up audit, once only, if ordered | MPPHM 29 |
Where does MNS Modulaz fit?
JAKIM deals with the applicant directly. MNS Modulaz Sdn. Bhd., entry 18 on JAKIM's Strategic Partner list, prepares companies for JAKIM's process: gap analysis against JAKIM's requirements, documents, SOPs, internal halal control and training. The steps of the whole application are in the JAKIM halal certification process.
JAKIM Rakan Strategik (RS MIHA) list, 18 June 2026, entry 18
Frequently asked questions
Does JAKIM visit a factory outside Malaysia?
Yes. JAKIM's notice for international manufacturing, in force from 1 January 2024, says an audit will be conducted at the manufacturing plant, for at least four days: two audit days and two days of round trip.
How long does a JAKIM audit of an overseas factory take?
At least four days under JAKIM's notice: two audit days and two days for the round trip. The audit is limited to one manufacturing address.
Who goes with the JAKIM auditors?
The applicant. JAKIM's notice says the applicant shall be responsible to accompany the auditors throughout the audit trip. The applicant is the company registered in Malaysia that applied: a branch, subsidiary, importer, distributor or trader, or agent.
What happens if the auditors find a nonconformity?
The company answers the nonconformance report (NCR) in writing within the period set, with the corrective action taken and supporting evidence such as receipts, halal certificates and photographs (MPPHM 2020, Procedure 30). A follow-up audit may be ordered, and it is held once only (Procedure 29).
Does MNS Modulaz deal with JAKIM for the company?
No. JAKIM deals with the applicant directly. MNS Modulaz Sdn. Bhd., entry 18 on JAKIM's Strategic Partner list, prepares companies for JAKIM's process: gap analysis against JAKIM's requirements, documents, SOPs, internal halal control and training.
Sources
- JAKIM, Malaysian Halal Certifications Procedure for International Manufacturing (from 1 January 2024): the audit at the plant, four days, one address, the applicant accompanying, the Halal Assurance System, applicants, 2-year validity.
- JAKIM, Manual Prosedur Pensijilan Halal Malaysia (Domestik) 2020: Procedures 1(3), 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30.
- JAKIM, Rakan Strategik MIHA list, 18 June 2026.