Contact

The rules depend on your risk classification, export region, and business activities. All companies must be certified according to a halal standard or an HQC Scheme, which may differ per region. You can view a list of available halal standards.

Your company must also comply with the applicable HQC Scheme.

Read more about Schemes.

The cost of halal certification depends on several factors, including the nature of activities, product categories, location(s), process complexity, and any additional export requirements.

After reviewing the application, HQC provides a transparent cost overview. 

HQC may assess existing halal certificates issued by other certification bodies as part of the application process. Acceptance is not automatic and depends on origin, validity, scope, and compliance with applicable HQC requirements. 

The processing time varies per application and depends on the completeness of documentation, facility readiness, and audit scheduling. Once a complete application is received, HQC will inform you of the expected timelines.

In most cases, certification can be completed within one month, provided all parties are available and prepared. 

HQC certificates are used internationally for market access.

Acceptance may vary by country, product category, and applicable regulations. In some countries, additional registrations or procedures are required.

Halal Quality Control (HQC) is accredited or recognized in most parts of the world, through both its headquarters and internationa offices.

Please note that some regions restrict the types of halal certificates accepted by customs authorities. In certain countries, only halal shipment certificates are accepted.

Yes. Companies may contact HQC to receive an explanation of the certification process, applicable requirements, and relevant steps for their situation.

A meeting can take place on-site, by phone, or online. 

Yes. Not all products, processes, or activities are eligible for halal certification.

Limitations may arise from raw materials used, production methods, cross-contamination risks, legal restrictions, or religious requirements. 

The validity of a halal factory certificate is generally limited in time and subject to periodic surveillance, typically ranging from 1 to 4 years. The exact validity period and surveillance frequency are specified in the certificate and its conditions. Halal shipment certificates are valid only for the specific shipment. 

Halal certification must always be requested by the responsible entity of the relevant facility or activity. HQC can, however, provide support in assessing or guiding suppliers within the halal supply chain. 

In some countries and for certain product categories, halal certification is legally mandatory. The requirement depends on the destination country, product type, and applicable regulations.

In many cases, halal certification is required by the importer or distributor. 

Yes. Halal certification can be integrated into existing quality management systems.
This may contribute to more efficient audits and a coherent management structure.

Yes. Halal requirements may differ by country based on religious interpretations, national legislation, and market requirements.
HQC takes these differences into account during certification and market access.

Changes in raw materials, suppliers, or processes must be reported to HQC.
Depending on the nature of the change, additional assessment or approval may be required.

Yes. Audits are conducted on-site during production or the execution of the activity. 

Yes. HQC has experience with multi-site and international certification projects and applies structured approaches for these cases. 

A general halal certificate is issued to companies that demonstrably and structurally comply with HQC halal requirements. This certificate has a minimum validity of one year and applies only to companies that continuously maintain compliance across processes, raw materials, and activities.

A halal shipment certificate follows similar assessment and approval procedures but is limited to specific shipments. It is requested per export shipment or when explicitly required by the regulations of the destination country.