Comparison · two certificates
JAKIM halal certificate or a recognised foreign one?
Who certifies it?
A JAKIM halal certificate (SPHM) is Malaysia's own, issued by JAKIM or a state Islamic religious authority after an application and an audit, for products made in Malaysia or, since 2024, at a plant abroad through a Malaysia-registered applicant. A recognised foreign halal certificate is issued abroad by one of 96 bodies on JAKIM's list, for imported goods; the importer or manufacturer marks that body's name on them.
SPHM · Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia
- Issued by
- The competent authority in Malaysia
- Made
- In Malaysia, or at a plant abroad
- Term
- 1 to 3 years, by scheme
Recognised foreign certificate
- Issued by
- A foreign body on JAKIM's list
- Made
- Abroad; the goods are imported
- Term
- Set by the body
Ten points
JAKIM vs recognised foreign halal certificate: ten points compared.
MNS Modulaz compares the two certificates on the points an importer checks. The first, the SPHM (Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia), is JAKIM's certification of products, premises and services in Malaysia and, under its international procedure, of plants abroad; the application goes through MYeHALAL, JAKIM's online system. The second is a certificate from a foreign halal certification body (FHCB) on JAKIM's list. Both rest on the same law, the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011.
| Point | JAKIM certificate (SPHM)Issued in Malaysia | Recognised foreign certificateIssued abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | The competent authority: JAKIM (the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) or the state Islamic religious council or department (MAIN/JAIN), by the scheme and the manufacturer's address; the Malaysian Halal Certification Panel decides each application. For a plant abroad, JAKIM, under its international-manufacturing procedure.MPPHM 2020 · definitions, 21(8), 34(1) · JAKIM's international-manufacturing notice | One of 96 bodies in 49 countries or regions on JAKIM's list effective 21 August 2026; ten entries are marked as authorities.FHCB list · index (pp.68–69) |
| Where the product is made | In Malaysia, for a company registered in Malaysia or overseas; or, since 1 January 2024, at one plant abroad, under JAKIM's international-manufacturing procedure.MPPHM 2020 · 1(3) · JAKIM's international-manufacturing notice | Abroad; the goods are imported into Malaysia.Order 2011 · para 5(1) |
| Who applies, and how | Made in Malaysia: the company itself, on its own MYeHALAL account (the Domestic part); the authority deals with the applicant directly, not through consultants, and a company registered overseas should confirm with JAKIM how it opens an account. A plant abroad: a company registered in Malaysia (branch, subsidiary, importer, distributor or trader, or agent), through MYeHALAL's International part; it accompanies the auditors.MPPHM 2020 · 21(2)–(5), 21(12) · JAKIM's international-manufacturing notice | Set by the bodyJAKIM's manual does not set a foreign body's application procedure. |
| The rule behind it | MPPHM 2020, JAKIM's domestic manual, issued under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 through para 7(2) of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, and amended by Pekeliling Pensijilan Halal Malaysia Bil. 1 Tahun 2026 (in force 1 April 2026). For a plant abroad, also JAKIM's international-manufacturing notice.MPPHM 2020 · 1(1)–(2) · Pekeliling Bil. 1/2026 | Para 5 of the same Order 2011; JAKIM's list is gazetted under it.Order 2011 · para 5 · FHCB list · cover (p.1) |
| What it covers | In Malaysia, nine schemes: food and drink products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food premises, consumer goods, logistics, slaughterhouses, contract manufacturing (OEM) and medical devices. For a plant abroad, five: food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods and medical devices; for an abattoir or a meat-based product, the notice says to contact the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).MPPHM 2020 · procedure 4 · JAKIM's international-manufacturing notice | Imported food and goods. The list prints no product scope for any body. Meat and poultry also need the plant inspected and approved by JAKIM and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).FHCB list · pp.4–65, Appendix (p.66) |
| Fees | Made in Malaysia, paid to the competent authority handling the application (JAKIM, MAIN or JAIN), in Malaysian ringgit (RM):
| Set by the bodyJAKIM's manual does not cover a foreign body's fees. |
| How long it runs | Made in Malaysia, by scheme: 1 year (slaughterhouses), 2 years (food and drink products, food premises) or 3 years (the other schemes); 2 years for a company registered overseas producing in Malaysia; JAKIM may set 5 years for a holder of at least five years with a clean record. A plant abroad: 2 years. The terms in 35 are unchanged in the 2026 amended manual.MPPHM 2020 · 35(2)–(4) · JAKIM's international-manufacturing notice | Set by the body. The body's own recognition by JAKIM runs three years at a time.FHCB list · Appendix (p.66) |
| The audit | In Malaysia: an application check and document audit, then a site audit once the fee is paid. Abroad: at the plant, at least four days (two audit days, two travelling), one manufacturing address per application; the plant runs a Halal Assurance System.MPPHM 2020 · Appendix D · JAKIM's international-manufacturing notice | Done by the body abroad, which JAKIM relies on as its representative to monitor and verify halal status.FHCB list · Appendix (p.66) |
| Marking on the goods | The Malaysia Halal logo, used by holders of a valid SPHM with the competent authority's permission.MPPHM 2020 · 41(1) | The importer or manufacturer marks the name of the certifying body on the food or goods.Order 2011 · para 5(2) |
| Where MNS Modulaz fits | MNS Modulaz offers halal certification preparation for products made in Malaysia: a gap analysis against JAKIM's requirements, then documents, SOPs, the internal halal control system and training. The company applies itself. MNS Modulaz's servicesThe company applies · MPPHM 2020 · 21(12) | MNS Modulaz explains JAKIM's list and what a Malaysian manufacturer's audit asks about imported ingredients. Certification is between the exporter and the body.Raw-material certificates · MPPHM 2020 · 17(1)(b)–(d) |
Which one, when
When does a product need a JAKIM certificate, and when a recognised foreign one?
A JAKIM certificate, when
- The product is made in Malaysia at your own plant, wherever your company is registered.MPPHM 2020 · 1(3)
- A Malaysian contract manufacturer makes it: the plant holds a certificate under JAKIM's OEM scheme, and each product with the logo needs its own SPHM. See contract manufacturing.MPPHM 2020 · 18(8)(b)
- The plant is abroad and a company registered in Malaysia applies, under JAKIM's international-manufacturing procedure.JAKIM's international-manufacturing notice
- You want the Malaysia Halal logo on the pack.MPPHM 2020 · 41(1)
A recognised foreign certificate, when
- The product is made abroad and marketed in Malaysia as halal on a certificate from a body on JAKIM's list.Order 2011 · para 5(1)
- You supply animal-based ingredients to a manufacturer in Malaysia: its audit asks for a valid certificate from the competent authority or a recognised body.MPPHM 2020 · 17(1)(b)
- You export meat or poultry to Malaysia, together with JAKIM and DVS approval of the plant.FHCB list · Appendix (p.66)
Watch for
Relabelling only: finished products, made in Malaysia or abroad, relabelled without any process in Malaysia are not eligible for a JAKIM certificate; sold as halal, an imported product relies on para 5 of the Order instead.MPPHM 2020 · 6(8) · Order 2011 · para 5
Repacking needs both: repacking in Malaysia is an SPHM application, and it must include the product's recognised, valid halal certificate (for natural materials only, documents stating the source).MPPHM 2020 · 5(11), 21(19)
Q1
Does a JAKIM application accept a foreign halal certificate?
Yes, as evidence: a JAKIM (SPHM) application accepts a recognised foreign halal certificate for animal-based raw materials and for a repacked product. The manual asks for it in these places:
- Every raw material must be traceable, and animal-based ones need a valid halal certificate from the competent authority or a recognised halal certification body.MPPHM 2020 · 17(1)(a)–(b)
- Imported animal-based raw materials, such as beef, chicken or gelatin, must come from slaughterhouses or processing plants approved by DVS.MPPHM 2020 · 17(1)(c)
- Raw materials with no certificate, or with one from a body JAKIM does not recognise, need complete supporting documents: composition, flow chart and source.MPPHM 2020 · 17(1)(d)
- A repackaging application must submit a recognised, valid halal certificate.MPPHM 2020 · 5(11)
The foreign certificate is evidence in the file; the product applied for still gets its own SPHM.MPPHM 2020 · 17(1), 5(11)
Q2
Can JAKIM certify a product made abroad?
Yes. Since 1 January 2024, JAKIM certifies plants outside Malaysia under its notice "Malaysian Halal Certifications Procedure for International Manufacturing". The application comes from a company registered in Malaysia, not from the foreign plant: a branch, subsidiary company, importer, distributor or trader, or agent in Malaysia.JAKIM's international-manufacturing notice
- Five schemes: food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods and medical devices. For an abattoir or a meat-based product, the notice says to contact DVS.
- One application form covers one factory and at most 100 products; the certificate is valid for 2 years.
- JAKIM audits the plant for at least four days, two audit days and two days' travel, at one manufacturing address; the applicant accompanies the auditors, and the plant runs a Halal Assurance System.
- Fees, as MNS Modulaz gives them: a plant in Southeast Asia: RM2,100; a plant outside Southeast Asia: USD 2,100; document processing: RM200. Confirm the current amount, and who pays the auditors' travel, with JAKIM's Halal Management Division (03-8892 5000, unitluarnegara.halal@gmail.com).
In 2023 JAKIM printed 92 SPHM for overseas-manufacturing applications and carried out 32 overseas audits, in Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Korea and Singapore.JAKIM, Laporan Tahunan 2023 (annual report), printed pp.150–151
The other route for a product made abroad is a certificate from a body on JAKIM's recognised list. Read JAKIM's notice, or see JAKIM's routes for overseas companies for all of them side by side.
Q3
How do you check a foreign certificate is accepted in Malaysia?
A buyer or exporter checks a foreign halal certificate against JAKIM's list of recognised foreign halal certification bodies, in the edition in force (21 August 2026 when this page was checked). Four checks:
- Use the current list. Open JAKIM's list (PDF) or the Recognised Foreign Halal Certification Body page on JAKIM's portal, with its Country drop-down. JAKIM withdraws bodies: ARGML (France), CHQC (Croatia) and CIA (China) were withdrawn with effect from 19 February 2025, so check the effective date.FHCB list · cover (p.1) · JAKIM withdrawal announcement, 2025
- Match the body. Each entry gives the body's name, address, contact details and halal logo; compare them with the certificate. The register of recognised bodies names every one under its country, with the PDF page.FHCB list · pp.4–65
- Do not read a scope into it. The list prints no product scope for any body: if you are unsure a body may certify your product, ask JAKIM.FHCB list · pp.4–65
- Check the certificate itself. Raw materials need a valid certificate, so check its validity date.MPPHM 2020 · 17(1)(b)
A JAKIM certificate is checked differently: the Halal Malaysia Portal has a "Verify Halal Status" search by category and name. How an SPHM is obtained, step by step, is on the certification process.Halal Malaysia Portal, halal.gov.my
Where to next
Also: every JAKIM fee · the Malay terms explained · all guides
Start here
Made here or abroad? Ask which certificate fits.
MNS Modulaz Sdn. Bhd., a halal consultancy in Bukit Beruntung, Rawang, Selangor, gives advice on which halal certificate a product needs, from JAKIM's own documents. MNS Modulaz Sdn. Bhd. is entry 18 on JAKIM's Rakan Strategik MIHA list (RSMIHA-2026-025, valid 1 June 2026 – 31 May 2029). For a product made in Malaysia, the company applies itself; MNS Modulaz prepares the documents, SOPs and team with it.
Office +60 3-6021 5288 · No 47-1, Jalan Adenium 2G/6, Pusat Perniagaan Adenium, Seksyen BB5, Bukit Beruntung, 48300 Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia