New Halal Certifications and Regulations

The Halal certification landscape is evolving fast as governments and authorities worldwide update regulations, digitalize systems, and tighten standards to protect consumers and support industry growth. Whether you’re a food producer, exporter, retailer, or Muslim consumer, understanding these changes can help you stay compliant and competitive. Here’s a comprehensive review of the latest Halal certification developments and regulatory updates shaping the global Halal food industry.

1. Mandatory Halal Certification Is Expanding

Indonesia’s Mandatory Halal Rules Come Into Force (2026)

Indonesia, whose economy relies heavily on its vast Halal market, has announced that Halal certification will be mandatory for all food products and consumer goods starting October 2026 under its Halal Product Assurance framework. This policy shift aims to strengthen consumer protection, boost product competitiveness globally, and expand market access for local brands. All food, beverages, cosmetics, drugs, and consumer products must be certified to comply with Halal standards, with outreach programs in place to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in meeting requirements.

In addition to the food sector, consumer goods — including fashion, crafts, and other daily‑use products — are scheduled for mandatory certification by late 2026.

2. Enhanced and Digital Halal Certification Frameworks

Singapore Upgrades Halal Certification with Digital Innovation

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has introduced an enhanced recognition framework for foreign halal certification bodies (FHCBs) as well as digital Halal certificates starting 1 October 2025. These changes are intended to strengthen oversight and increase transparency across Singapore’s Halal ecosystem:

New digital Halal certificates include QR codes so consumers can instantly verify certification status and details by scanning with a mobile device.
The framework also introduces a risk‑based assessment system (CHARM) and clearer qualifying criteria for foreign certification bodies.
Regulatory powers have been strengthened under Singapore’s Administration of Muslim Law Act to better monitor and appeal certification decisions.

This digital transformation reflects a broader trend of using technology to build trust, traceability, and credibility in Halal supply chains.

3. Government Regulatory Overhauls

India’s Religious Dietary Certification Law (FSSAI 2025)

India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has amended the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 to introduce a centralized and legally enforceable framework for “religious dietary certification,” including Halal certification. Under this new regime:

Only government‑notified authorities can issue Halal certification for domestic food products.
Private certifications lose statutory validity, and consistency will be enforced through government supervision and uniform national standards.
An advisory committee will oversee halal slaughter, processing, packaging, and labeling while aligning public health and food safety objectives.

This is a major shift toward standardization and oversight, intended to eliminate inconsistent private certifications and protect consumers.

4. Expanded Export Requirements

India Expands Mandatory Halal Certification for Meat Exports

India has implemented updated Halal meat export guidelines effective October 2024, requiring meat products to be processed in facilities certified under the India Conformity Assessment Scheme (I‑CAS – Halal) to be exported to major Muslim‑majority markets including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and others. This regulatory move aims to streamline exports and ensure exporters meet target market standards.

DGFT Extends Certification to More Countries

Under a new notification by India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Halal certification is now mandated for exports to 20 additional countries, further tightening global export requirements under the I‑CAS framework. This reflects a trend toward harmonizing national standards with global trade demands.

5. New Labeling and Packaging Rules

In Indonesia, updated compliance requirements mandate that Halal‑certified products clearly display the official Halal label and publish their Halal status on digital platforms (websites, social media, marketplaces, etc.). This reinforces accountability and ensures consumers can easily identify and verify Halal products. Manufacturers have a transition period (until October 2026) to update packaging to match the new national Halal logo and placement standards.

6. Regional Standardization and Oversight

Malaysia Maintains Strict Halal Standards Under JAKIM

Malaysia continues to assert strict Halal procedures and standards, even as it recognizes certain foreign Halal certification bodies for administrative approval. Despite trade agreements with countries like the United States, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) retains final audit, monitoring, and verification authority to maintain integrity and prevent dilution of Halal standards.

This reflects Malaysia’s role as a global Halal benchmark, where the emphasis remains on strict compliance rather than easing certification for trade convenience.

GCC Standardization Under GSO

Across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), harmonization efforts around the GSO 2055 Halal standard and mutual recognition agreements continue, supporting smoother certification acceptance among Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other Gulf states.

7. Broader Scope of Halal Certification

Halal certification is no longer limited to food and beverages. Many countries are expanding scope to include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, supplements, consumer goods, and services under mandatory or phased certification policies. This reflects a broader interpretation of Halal to cover the full range of daily products that consumers may use.

Conclusion

The Halal certification landscape is shifting from voluntary or fragmented systems to more structured, regulatory, and technology‑driven frameworks worldwide. Major updates include:

Mandatory certification expansion in large markets like Indonesia and India.
Digital Halal certification systems that enhance transparency and traceability.
Uniform regulatory frameworks that centralize authority and improve consumer confidence.
Export and labeling rules that strengthen market access conditions.
Regional harmonization efforts to align standards internationally.

For businesses, staying informed about these regulations is critical for market access, compliance, and consumer trust. As Halal certification systems continue to evolve, they will play an increasingly important role in shaping global food standards and ethical consumer practices.