Accreditation in the Middle East and Africa

HQC certificates are used to support market access to multiple countries in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye, Morocco and Algeria.
Acceptance is always subject to national regulations and product scope. In some cases, a certificate may only be issued by an HQC office that is officially recognized in the country where the export takes place.

For more information, please refer to the HQC Global Accreditation Overview (available in the Help Documents tab).

For many product categories, halal certification is a requirement for import into Middle Eastern countries.
The exact obligations vary depending on the country, product type and competent authority. HQC supports companies in correctly applying the applicable requirements.

Yes.

Exports to Saudi Arabia are subject to additional procedures, registrations and approval steps.
HQC supports companies in complying with these requirements and in preparing the correct documentation for export.

Not always.

Although many countries apply similar halal principles, additional national requirements may apply.
In some cases, a general halal certificate is sufficient, while in other cases additional shipment certification is required.

A shipment certificate is usually required for products containing meat or meat derivatives.

For Saudi Arabia, specific rules apply. You can register for more information by clicking “Discover More” and completing the registration.
You may also contact us via saudi@halalqualitycontrol.com or by phone at +31 70 346 97 95.

A general halal certificate is issued to companies that structurally comply with HQC requirements and is usually valid for a minimum of one year.

A halal shipment certificate is applied for per shipment and is often required for exports to specific countries or for specific product categories.

Yes.

When requesting a halal shipment certificate, the importer must be located in the country from which the export actually takes place. The shipment certificate is linked to the physical shipment and the corresponding trade documents of the exporting country.

Example:
For an export from the Netherlands to the UAE, the importer must be linked to the export from the Netherlands to the UAE.

This depends on the type of product.

For products containing meat or meat derivatives—including gelatin, collagen, and similar ingredients—a halal shipment certificate is required.

For other product categories, a general halal certificate may suffice in some cases, depending on national regulations and import requirements of the destination country.

HQC assesses which certification type is required per product and destination.

Yes.

In some countries, halal shipment certificates are considered official export documents, and legalization or additional verification steps may be required. HQC guides companies in this process where applicable. 

Yes.

In the Middle East, halal requirements may also apply to ingredients, additives, cosmetics, and other product categories, depending on national regulations. 

Of course.

HQC advises companies in advance about feasibility, requirements, certification structure, and potential risks, to prevent delays or rejections during export. 

Absolutely.

HQC advises companies early on about feasibility, requirements, and certification structure to prevent delays and rejections during export. 

Yes.

In several Asian countries, halal requirements also apply to ingredients, additives, cosmetics, and certain chemical products, depending on national regulations. 

HQC assesses this per request. Based on product type, production site, destination country, and applicable regulations, HQC advises on the appropriate certification structure.