Halal certification regulation and related careers

Who defines what a halal product is, who has the right to certify it, and who checks the certifiers? The answer varies enormously from one country to another. In some states, halal falls under a public authority and a law; in others, including France and the United Kingdom, it relies on private bodies and religious specifications, governed only by general consumer law. In between, international standards attempt to harmonise practice.

This complexity creates specialist jobs: regulatory affairs officers, standardisation experts, accreditation assessors and lawyers. This page describes the regulatory landscape of halal certification and the jobs that stem from it.

Three main models of regulation

State-regulated halal

Several Muslim-majority countries regulate halal by law. Malaysia relies on a federal religious authority and detailed national standards. Indonesia has adopted a halal product assurance law that is gradually extending mandatory certification and entrusts the management of the system to a public agency. The Gulf states have regional standards and registration requirements for foreign certifiers. In these countries, working in halal can mean working for the government.

Private, voluntary halal

In France and much of Europe, there is no legal definition of halal. Certification bodies are generally private or linked to religious institutions, each with its own standard. The state intervenes through rules on hygiene, slaughter and animal welfare, and through consumer law: a false halal claim can be prosecuted as a misleading commercial practice. Enforcement then falls to the fraud control authorities, or in the UK to Trading Standards.

International harmonisation standards

The Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC), affiliated to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, develops common standards. The best known cover general requirements for halal food, halal certification bodies and the accreditation bodies that assess these certifiers. These standards are adopted, in full or in part, by some member states. Other international references, notably those of the Codex Alimentarius, address the use of the term halal in labelling.

Accreditation: checking the certifiers

Accreditation means an independent body verifying that a certifier is competent, impartial and applies reliable procedures. In many countries it is based on ISO/IEC 17065 for bodies certifying products, supplemented by specific halal requirements. In Europe, national accreditation bodies may accredit halal certifiers, although this is not compulsory; in the UK, the national accreditation body is UKAS. For exports, many importing countries additionally require recognition by their own authorities.

Jobs in halal regulation

Regulatory affairs officer

In an exporting company or a food group, the regulatory affairs officer tracks changes to halal rules in destination countries, checks that certificates are accepted, adapts labelling and prepares registration files. They work with the export, quality and legal teams. This role is a natural extension of the functions described on the international halal trade page.

Technical manager at a certification body

The technical manager drafts and updates the standard, prepares files for accreditation and recognition by foreign authorities, trains auditors and guarantees the impartiality of decisions. They work closely with the body's religious committee. The auditors they supervise are presented on the page devoted to the halal auditor's job.

Standardisation expert

On behalf of a national standards body, a company or a trade federation, the standardisation expert takes part in the technical committees that draw up standards. These roles require in-depth technical expertise, a good command of English and diplomatic patience.

Accreditation assessor

The assessor evaluates certification bodies on behalf of an accreditation body. This is often an experienced profile, a former auditor or quality manager.

Public official and lawyer

In countries where halal is regulated, government departments recruit inspectors, registration officers and lawyers. In Europe, consumer protection and food control services deal with halal claims as part of their general remit. Lawyers specialising in food law and international trade law also advise companies.

Skills and training

• A scientific or technical background (food industry, quality, biology) or a legal one (food law, consumer law, international law).
• Knowledge of ISO management and certification standards and of the logic of conformity assessment.
• Solid knowledge of halal rules and of the points on which standards differ.
• Methodical regulatory monitoring and the ability to summarise.
• Professional English; Arabic, Malay or Indonesian are very useful.

Master's degrees in quality and regulatory affairs, food law or international trade are good routes, complemented by specific halal training. See the page on halal training pathways.

Neutrality and caution

Halal certification is a sensitive subject: competition between bodies, religious differences over stunning or mechanical slaughter, and significant economic stakes. A regulatory professional must stay factual, distinguish between what comes from the law, from a standard and from religious opinion, and not take sides publicly between schools of thought or institutions. Religious questions should be referred to qualified scholars and legal questions to the competent authorities.

Developments and outlook

The extension of mandatory certification in some major markets and the gradual harmonisation of standards are increasing the need for specialists able to navigate several systems. Experienced professionals move on to head of regulatory affairs roles, international consulting or representation on standardisation bodies. Companies that want to apply these standards internally are also recruiting: see the page on implementing halal standards.

Practical tips

• Set up a monitoring routine covering published halal standards and the import rules of the markets that interest you.
• Learn how to read a standard: requirements, recommendations, definitions, annexes.
• Start in a quality or export role to gain the practical experience recruiters look for.
• Always check the official texts before stating that a rule exists.