HQC Schemes. Your guidelines.
Below you’ll find more information about each scheme.
Please note that the full schemes are available to customers upon request only.
Please note that the full schemes are available to customers upon request only.
Halal Certification
Halal Assurance Program
Animal Welfare and Slaughtering
Service Providers
Cosmetics and Personal Care
Supervision
HQC Academy
Laboratory Testing
Special Schemes
Halal Certification Scheme
In brief
The HQC Halal Certification Scheme describes the complete framework by which Halal Quality Control assesses, validates, and certifies halal compliance.
This policy is based on international standards such as ISO/IEC 17065, SMIIC, GSO, OIC, and national legislation.
This policy is based on international standards such as ISO/IEC 17065, SMIIC, GSO, OIC, and national legislation.
The HQC Halal Certification Scheme covers the categories of Products, Production Sites, Supply Chains, Outsourcing, Traceability, and the Integrity of Halal Claims, and is applied within the HQC Certification Governance System.
Wordwide benchmark
The HQC Halal Certification Scheme has been developed by benchmarking against various international halal standards.
As a result, HQC can issue certificates that are recognized by governments, authorities, and importing markets.
As a result, HQC can issue certificates that are recognized by governments, authorities, and importing markets.
In 4 steps
Step 1: Application, Review, and Contractual Agreements
Step 2: Documentation and Audits
Step 3: Certification Decision and Outcomes
Step 4: Surveillance and Renewals
Step 2: Documentation and Audits
Step 3: Certification Decision and Outcomes
Step 4: Surveillance and Renewals
Version: 3.0
Issue: 2026
Full version available at Supporting Documents section
Available or upcoming translations:
Full version available at Supporting Documents section
Available or upcoming translations:
English, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish and Turkish
Halal Assurance Program
In brief
The HQC Halal Assurance Program (HAP) describes how companies set up and maintain a structured, internal halal management system.
The HAP does not focus solely on ingredients, but on the entire management system, including policies, procedures, risk analysis, training, documentation, and supervision.
The primary objective of the HAP is to identify, document, and control halal-critical activities, to integrate halal requirements into the company’s quality or management system, and to prepare organizations for halal audits and continuous compliance.
The HAP therefore functions as the halal equivalent of an assurance framework, comparable to HACCP or ISO systems, but specifically tailored to halal.
The HAP applies to manufacturers of food and non-food products; for service providers and slaughterhouses, we refer to the Service Providers Scheme and the Animal Welfare and Slaughtering Scheme.
The program forms a mandatory foundation within the HQC certification process and is intended to safeguard the integrity of halal production, processing, and services.
The primary objective of the HAP is to identify, document, and control halal-critical activities, to integrate halal requirements into the company’s quality or management system, and to prepare organizations for halal audits and continuous compliance.
The HAP applies to manufacturers of food and non-food products; for service providers and slaughterhouses, we refer to the Service Providers Scheme and the Animal Welfare and Slaughtering Scheme.
Preparing a Quality Manual
Within the HAP, the development and maintenance of a Halal Manual is mandatory.
The manual describes, among other things, the halal policy and responsibilities, risk analysis and control measures,
procedures for purchasing, production, storage, and distribution, and
corrective and preventive actions.
This manual may be a standalone document or integrated into existing quality or FSMS systems.
The 5 criteria
The HQC HAP consists of five clear criteria, which together form the minimum framework for halal assurance.
Version: 3.0 Issue: 2026
Full version available at Supporting Documents section
Animal Welfare and Slaughtering Scheme
In brief
The HQC Animal Welfare & Slaughtering Scheme (AWS) describes the minimum and additional requirements for halal slaughter processes, with special attention to animal welfare, ritual correctness, and continuous control within slaughter facilities.
This scheme forms a mandatory framework for companies seeking halal certification for slaughter activities and related processes.
The AWS scheme does not stand alone and is applied in conjunction with other schemes.
The AWS scheme does not stand alone and is applied in conjunction with other schemes.
Preparation
The AWS scheme serves as preparation and a foundation for:
The requirements within this scheme are applied directly during HQC audits and are therefore decisive for the outcome of certification.
– Halal audits
– Supervision
– Periodic reassessments
– Continuous compliance with halal and animal welfare requirements
The criteria
The scheme consists of several interrelated criteria, including:
– Permitted animal species and slaughter requirements
– Permitted animal species and slaughter requirements
– Competence and training of slaughter personnel
– Animal welfare before, during, and after slaughter
– Facilities, equipment, and hygiene
– Traceability and documentation
– Supervision, reporting, and corrective measures
– Use of halal marks and labeling
Version: 2.0
**Issue:** 2026
The full versions are exclusively available to HQC customers and may not be applied through third parties.
Service Providers Scheme
In brief
The HQC Service Providers Scheme (SPS) has been developed to safeguard halal integrity within the non-producing links of the supply chain.
This scheme applies to service providers involved in, among others, storage, transport, distribution, packaging, transshipment, trading, and logistics, without producing halal products themselves.
This scheme applies to service providers involved in, among others, storage, transport, distribution, packaging, transshipment, trading, and logistics, without producing halal products themselves.
The scheme ensures that halal products remain protected against contamination, mixing, and loss of halal status throughout all service and handling activities.
Version: 2.0
**Issue:** 2026
The full versions are exclusively available to HQC customers and may not be applied through third parties.
Supervision Scheme
In brief
This scheme describes the rules, responsibilities, and working methods for halal supervision carried out by supervisors appointed by Halal Quality Control at companies where the slaughter of permitted animals takes place.
The Supervision Scheme is a supplement to the HQC Animal Welfare and Slaughtering Scheme and is specifically focused on operational supervision, not on certification audits.
Important aspects
Supervisors are not considered auditors and fulfill an operational and monitoring role within the slaughter process.
Their activities are focused on overseeing the correct execution of halal slaughter, identifying deviations during production, and supporting continuous compliance.
In 5 steps
The scheme consists of five defined steps that the supervisor follows in carrying out supervision activities.
These steps ensure:
– Continuous compliance with halal requirements during slaughter activities
– Correct execution of the applied slaughter methods
– Compliance with additional requirements imposed by export countries or halal authorities
The steps are aligned with the nature of the production, export destination, and the applicable halal standards framework.
Version: 1.1
**Issue:** 2026
The full versions are exclusively available to HQC customers and may not be applied through third parties.
Cosmetics and Personal Care Scheme
In brief
The HQC Cosmetics and Personal Care Scheme (CPS) has been developed to assess, safeguard, and—where applicable—certify the halal compliance of cosmetics and personal care products.
This scheme specifically focuses on products that are not intended for consumption but do come into direct contact with the human body, where raw materials, processing aids, and production processes can be halal-critical.
The CPS scheme supports manufacturers, brand owners, and distributors in demonstrably complying with halal principles within a highly regulated, international cosmetics market.
Points of Attention
Within cosmetics and personal care, the focus is among others on:
– Animal-derived ingredients (fats, collagen, keratin, glycerin)
– Alcohols and alcohol-related substances
– Fermentation processes and biotechnological ingredients
– Cross-contamination on shared production lines
– Correct and verifiable use of halal claims
Scope
The HQC CPS scheme applies to, among others:
– Cosmetics (make-up, skincare, haircare)
– Cosmetics (make-up, skincare, haircare)
– Personal care products (soaps, lotions, perfumes)
– Hygienic and care-related non-food products
– Private label and outsourced production
Version: 1.0
Issue: 2026
The full versions are exclusively available to HQC customers and may not be applied through third parties.
Academy Scheme
In brief
The HQC Academy Scheme describes the training framework of Halal Quality Control and forms the educational foundation supporting halal certification, supervision, and compliance.
The HQC Academy is not a mandatory or exclusive training institution.
The HQC Academy is established to strengthen knowledge, awareness, and competencies among both HQC customers and internal staff, in line with applicable HQC schemes and international halal requirements.
Organizations may use alternative training providers, provided that the content demonstrably complies with the relevant HQC criteria and scheme requirements.
Training is intended for organizations classified as Critical or High-Risk, in accordance with the applicable HQC schemes.
Purpose
The primary objective of the HQC Academy Scheme is to ensure that involved parties:
– Have insight into halal requirements and certification processes;
– Possess demonstrable knowledge of the relevant HQC schemes;
– Contribute to a consistent and integral application of halal standards.
The HQC Academy thus supports both compliance and quality assurance, without replacing the role of certification or accreditation bodies.
Training programs
The HQC Academy offers structured training programs that are aligned with, among others, the applicable HQC schemes.
Trainings are offered in multiple languages and can be delivered online or on-site, depending on the program and the target audience.
Download Scheme Summary
Version: 1.1
Issue: 2026
The full versions are exclusively available to HQC customers and may not be applied through third parties.
Laboratory Testing Scheme
In brief
The HQC Sampling and Laboratory Testing Scheme describes the framework for sampling and laboratory testing within halal certification, with a specific focus on high-risk and critical classifications.
This scheme ensures that products and raw materials that fall under increased halal risk are assessed objectively and consistently using validated analytical methods.
The scheme supports halal integrity by establishing clear guidelines for sampling, laboratory selection, analytical methods, and reporting.
Scope of Application
– Certified companies within the High-Risk and Critical categories
– HQC auditors who monitor compliance
– Accredited laboratories that perform halal-related analyses
– Stakeholders such as authorities, importers, and consumers who rely on HQC certification
Sampling is risk-based and is only required when it results from the HQC Risk Classification.
Validated analytical methods
Laboratory testing under this scheme is conducted in accordance with internationally recognized standards, including ISO/IEC 17025, and includes, among others:
All methods must be demonstrably validated for halal applications.
– DNA analysis (e.g., detection of animal or porcine origin)
– Alcohol analysis via HPLC or GC-MS
– PCR and ELISA methods for animal derivatives
– Additional tests depending on market or country requirements
All methods must be demonstrably validated for halal applications.
Version: 1.0
Issue: 2026
The full versions are exclusively available to HQC customers and may not be applied through third parties.
Special Schemes
In brief
The HQC Special Schemes include additional, country-specific requirements that apply to certain export markets and competent authorities.
These schemes serve as attachments to the HQC Halal Certification Scheme and describe extra conditions arising from national legislation, government policies, or recognition frameworks.
Special Schemes are not standalone certification schemes, but mandatory supplements when a product, site, or shipment is intended for specific markets.
When applicable
A Special Scheme is applied when:
– An export destination applies additional national halal regulations
– Specific registrations, formats, or declarations are required
– Additional supervision, documentation, or approvals are mandatory
Examples of countries for which Special Schemes apply:
– Indonesia (BPJPH / Halal Law & implementing regulations)
– Malaysia (JAKIM / MS standards & recognition requirements)
– Saudi Arabia (SFDA / halal & product registration requirements)
Purpose and positioning
The purpose of the Special Schemes is to:
– Safeguard access to international markets
– Ensure full compliance with national halal authorities
– Bridge interpretation differences between general halal standards and local regulations
Through this, HQC ensures that certification is not only halal-compliant, but also legally and administratively acceptable to import authorities.
Download Scheme Summary
Version: Multiple versions available
Issue: 2026
The full versions are exclusively available to HQC customers and may not be applied through third parties.