Halal certification is a third-party confirmation that a food product or facility meets halal requirements, mainly for buyers in Muslim-majority markets and for consumers who look for it. In India there is no single central law that makes halal certification mandatory for domestic sale, but export of meat and meat products marketed as halal is regulated through DGFT, and Uttar Pradesh restricts halal-certified food within the state. This page explains the position as of October 2026, how certification works and how to prepare.
What is halal certification and what is the legal position in India?
Halal means permissible under Islamic law. In the food trade, halal certification covers more than the absence of prohibited ingredients such as pork or alcohol: it also looks at the source and slaughter of animals, cross-contamination, cleaning agents, storage and transport, and the integrity of the supply chain. A certifier audits the facility and the product, and issues a certificate that buyers and importing-country authorities rely on.
India has no single mandatory halal authority for domestic sale. Certification is offered by private and religious organisations, and acceptance depends on the buyer. For exports, however, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued Notification No. 03/2023 dated 6 April 2023 on streamlining halal certification for meat and meat products. It provides that products under HS codes 0201, 0202, 0204, 0206, 0207, 0210, 1601 and 1602 may be exported as halal certified only if they were produced, processed and packaged in a facility holding valid i-CAS Halal certification from a certification body accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB). Exporters must also register on the APEDA meat export portal and meet importing-country requirements. Export of non-halal meat follows the existing procedure.
Domestic rules diverge by state. On 18 November 2023, the Food Safety and Drug Administration Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh issued an order banning the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of halal-certified food products within the state, with immediate effect, while exempting products meant for export. Separate action was announced against halal-labelled medicines and cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. We have not verified the present status of any court challenge to the order, so confirm it before launching halal-labelled food in Uttar Pradesh.
Because the market is largely private, the choice of certifier matters more than usual. A certificate is only useful if the buyer, the importing country's authority or the retailer accepts the certifier. This page is informational and does not endorse any certification body.
Who needs halal certification?
Halal certification is mainly a commercial requirement, and a legal one only in the export situations described above. It is typically sought by:
- Meat and meat product exporters, who need i-CAS Halal certification under the DGFT notification to export as halal certified
- Food manufacturers and processors exporting to Gulf, South-East Asian, African and other halal-regulated markets
- Exporters of dairy, confectionery, bakery, spices, beverages and processed foods whose buyers ask for halal certificates
- Restaurants, caterers and cloud kitchens serving halal-conscious customers or serving airlines and institutions
- Cosmetic, personal care and pharmaceutical manufacturers whose export markets ask for halal assurance, subject to the legal position on halal labelling
- Ingredient and packaging suppliers to halal-certified producers
Benefits of Halal Certification
Access to export markets
Many importing countries accept only halal-certified food from recognised certifiers. Certification is the commercial passport to these markets.
Compliance with DGFT rules for meat exports
For the listed meat HS codes, i-CAS Halal certification is the condition for exporting as halal certified.
Buyer and retailer confidence
Importers, retailers and food-service buyers rely on certificates to confirm that the supply chain has been audited.
Supply chain discipline
Halal audits require traceability of ingredients, segregation and cleaning records, which also helps general food safety management.
Clearer labelling and claims
A certificate with a defined scope helps you make accurate halal claims instead of unsupported statements that can be challenged.
Eligibility & readiness
Any food business can apply, but the certifier will assess readiness before the audit. In practice you should have the basics in place first.
- A legally registered entity with a valid food licence where applicable, such as FSSAI licence
- A defined scope of products, ingredients, premises and processes to be certified
- Ingredient and supplier lists with specifications and, where needed, supplier halal certificates
- Segregation and cleaning arrangements to avoid contact with non-halal materials
- Trained staff and a person responsible for halal compliance
- For meat exporters, registration with APEDA and a certifier accredited under the i-CAS Halal scheme
- A food safety management system such as HACCP or ISO 22000, which many certifiers expect as a base
Documents required
Business and licence documents
- Incorporation or registration proof, PAN and GST registration
- FSSAI licence or registration and other statutory approvals for the facility
- Import export code and APEDA registration for exporters, where relevant
- Layout of the premises showing production, storage and segregation areas
Product and ingredient documents
- List of products with recipes or formulations
- List of ingredients, additives, flavours, enzymes and processing aids with suppliers
- Supplier halal certificates or declarations for animal-derived or high-risk ingredients
- Packaging material and label details
Process and control documents
- Process flow charts and cleaning procedures
- HACCP plan or food safety manual, if available
- Purchase, receiving, storage and dispatch records
- Staff training records and details of the halal compliance officer
- For meat, slaughter facility details, slaughterer records and stunning policy if used
Step-by-step halal certification process
Every certifier has its own scheme rules, so use the steps below as a general sequence and obtain the scheme document from your chosen body.
Decide which market and rules apply
Find out which countries you sell to and whether their authorities accept only specific certifiers. For meat exports from India, the DGFT notification points to i-CAS Halal certification by a NABCB-accredited certification body.
Select a certification body
Compare certifiers on their recognition in your target markets, accreditation status, audit approach and written fee quotation. Ask for the scheme document and a list of markets that accept their certificate.
Submit the application with product and ingredient lists
Provide the scope, products, ingredient lists, suppliers and process details. The certifier will review these for risk ingredients such as animal-derived items, alcohol-based flavours and enzymes.
Document review and gap closure
The certifier checks your documents and identifies gaps, for example missing supplier certificates, unclear segregation or weak traceability. Close these before the audit.
On-site audit
Auditors visit the facility, inspect receiving, storage, production, cleaning and dispatch, interview staff and review records. For meat, the slaughter process and facility are also assessed.
Corrective actions
Resolve any non-conformities within the time allowed, and send evidence to the certifier.
Certification decision and certificate
The certifier issues the certificate with the scope, products, site and validity, together with the conditions of use of its halal mark.
Surveillance and renewal
Expect periodic surveillance visits, change notification obligations and renewal audits as per the scheme rules.
Fees for halal certification
There is no government fee for halal certification, and no official fee schedule. Certifiers set their own audit and certificate charges, usually depending on the scope, number of products, site size and audit days. For meat exports, the DGFT notification does not prescribe the charges of accredited bodies.
Professional charges are quoted separately after reviewing your case. Government fees are paid directly to the authority. For halal certification there is no government fee; certifier charges are paid directly to the certification body, so obtain written quotations before choosing.
How long does halal certification take?
The timeline depends on how ready your documents and facility are and on the certifier's audit calendar. A facility with clean records and segregation can move quickly, while one that must reorganise storage, replace ingredients or obtain supplier certificates takes longer. Meat facilities require more preparation because of slaughter and traceability requirements.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Scope and document preparation | 1–3 weeks |
| Certifier document review | Depends on the certifier |
| On-site audit | Scheduled by the certifier, usually 1–3 days on site |
| Closure of findings and certificate | Depends on the findings and certifier process |
Validity & renewal
The validity period is set by the certification body and the scheme, and is usually limited with surveillance visits and renewal audits. For meat exports under the DGFT notification, the facility must hold valid i-CAS Halal certification at the time of export, so a lapse can stop shipments. Keep track of expiry, notify the certifier of any change in recipe, supplier, process or premises and renew before the certificate expires.
Compliance after certification
- Use the halal mark and certificate only for the certified products, site and period, following the certifier's rules
- Notify the certifier before changing ingredients, suppliers, process or premises
- Keep supplier halal certificates and ingredient records current
- Maintain segregation, cleaning and traceability records
- Allow surveillance audits and respond to corrective action requests
- For meat exporters, keep APEDA registration and i-CAS Halal validity current
- Keep FSSAI licence and annual returns up to date
Halal certification: domestic sale vs meat export
| Point | Domestic sale | Meat and meat product exports (listed HS codes) |
|---|---|---|
| Central mandate | None for halal certification | DGFT Notification 03/2023 requires i-CAS Halal for halal-certified exports |
| Certifier | Any private certifier accepted by the buyer | Certification body accredited by NABCB under the i-CAS Halal scheme |
| State restrictions | Uttar Pradesh restricts halal-certified food (18 Nov 2023 order) | Products for export are exempt from the UP order |
| Registration | FSSAI licence for food business | APEDA meat export portal registration plus FSSAI/other approvals |
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Choosing a certifier the buyer does not accept
A certificate has value only if the importing country or buyer accepts the certifier. Confirm acceptance in writing before applying.
Overlooking hidden ingredients
Flavours, emulsifiers, enzymes, gelatine, glycerol, alcohol-based carriers and processing aids can be animal-derived or alcohol-based. List them all.
Weak segregation
Shared lines, shared utensils or storage with non-halal materials without documented cleaning cause major findings.
Ignoring the legal position for meat exports
Exporting listed meat HS codes as halal without i-CAS Halal certification from a NABCB-accredited body does not satisfy the DGFT notification.
Making halal claims in restricted states
Labelling and selling halal-certified food in Uttar Pradesh is restricted by the state order, subject to the export exemption. Check state-level restrictions before marketing.
Changing recipes without notice
A new ingredient or supplier added without informing the certifier can invalidate the certificate for that product.
Penalties and consequences of non-compliance
There is no general statutory penalty for not having halal certification, since it is not mandatory for domestic sale. The consequences are mainly commercial: rejection of consignments by importing-country authorities, loss of buyers and certificate withdrawal. For listed meat exports, exporting as halal certified without meeting the DGFT notification can lead to action under the foreign trade framework, and misleading halal claims can attract action under food labelling and consumer protection laws. We have not verified specific penalty provisions for halal misuse, so no figures are given.
Practitioner tips
- Start with the importing country's rule, not the certifier's brochure. Some countries maintain lists of recognised foreign certifiers, and a certificate from an unlisted body may be rejected at the port.
- Prepare a single ingredient master sheet with supplier, origin and halal status for every item, including processing aids. Auditors spend most of their time here.
- If you export meat, confirm that your facility, not just your brand, holds i-CAS Halal certification, because the DGFT notification refers to the facility where the product was produced, processed and packaged.
- Do not use the word halal on labels or listings before the certificate is issued and the mark rules are known. Premature claims create legal and commercial risk.
- Check state-level restrictions, such as the Uttar Pradesh order, before you plan retail launches. Export-only production has a different position from domestic sale.
How Lawgical Guru helps
Legal position check
We review whether your product and market are covered by the DGFT notification, state orders or importing-country rules before you invest in certification.
Certifier selection guidance
We help you prepare the questions to ask certifiers about accreditation, market acceptance and fees, and compare their written quotations.
Document preparation
We help organise licences, ingredient lists, supplier declarations and process documents for the application.
Export registrations
We support import export code, APEDA registration and RCMC requirements for exporters.
Food licence alignment
We align your FSSAI licence and food safety system so that the facility is audit ready.
Halal Certification: frequently asked questions
Is halal certification mandatory in India?
Not for domestic sale. India has no single central law requiring halal certification. For export of meat and meat products as halal certified, DGFT Notification No. 03/2023 requires the facility to hold i-CAS Halal certification from an NABCB-accredited certification body. Other exports depend on importing-country rules.
What is i-CAS Halal?
It is a halal certification scheme under the Quality Council of India framework. The DGFT notification of 6 April 2023 says listed meat and meat products may be exported as halal certified only if produced, processed and packaged in a facility with valid i-CAS Halal certification from a NABCB-accredited certification body.
Which products does the DGFT halal notification cover?
It covers meat and meat products under HS codes 0201, 0202, 0204, 0206, 0207, 0210, 1601 and 1602. Exporters must also register on the APEDA meat export portal and meet importing-country requirements. Export of non-halal meat continues under the existing procedure.
Can I sell halal-certified food in Uttar Pradesh?
The Uttar Pradesh FSDA Commissioner's order of 18 November 2023 bars manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of halal-certified food products in the state, except for export. We have not verified the current status of challenges to it, so check the latest position before marketing.
Who can issue halal certificates in India?
Private and religious certification bodies issue them. For listed meat exports, the body must be accredited by NABCB under the i-CAS Halal scheme. For other uses, acceptance depends on the buyer or importing country, so confirm acceptance before applying. We do not endorse any particular certifier.
How much does halal certification cost?
There is no government fee or official fee schedule. Certifiers set charges based on scope, number of products, site size and audit days. Request written quotations from at least two certifiers that your buyers accept and compare the full cost, including surveillance and renewal.
What documents are needed for halal certification?
Typically business registration, FSSAI licence, product and ingredient lists, supplier halal certificates for risk ingredients, process flow charts, cleaning procedures, layout and training records. Exporters add import export code and APEDA registration where relevant. The certifier gives its own checklist.
How long is a halal certificate valid?
Validity is set by the certification body and its scheme, normally with surveillance visits and renewal audits. For listed meat exports the facility must hold valid i-CAS Halal certification at export time, so track the expiry and renew early.
Does halal certification need a HACCP or ISO 22000 system?
Not by law, but many certifiers expect a working food safety system and traceability as a base. Having HACCP or ISO 22000 in place usually makes the halal audit smoother because ingredient control and cleaning records already exist.
Can cosmetics and medicines be certified halal in India?
Some certifiers offer it for export markets, but the Uttar Pradesh action in November 2023 also targeted halal-labelled drugs and cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Check your state position and the label rules before using halal claims on such products.
Reviewed by Satyam Gupta, Company Secretary (CS) & Advocate
8+ years of industry experience. This page was last reviewed on 16 October 2026 against the official sources below. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official portal before you apply.