Frequently Asked Questions

Halal certification is a systematic verification process carried out by an independent halal certification body to confirm that a product, facility, or service complies with Islamic dietary laws and applicable halal standards.

Halal certification is important for UK businesses for several reasons:

• Market Access: The UK has approximately 3.9 million Muslim consumers (ONS, 2021). Halal certification allows businesses to actively market to this demographic.
• Export Opportunities: Many key export markets including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan require halal certificates for food and other products at customs.
• Consumer Trust: Muslim consumers are increasingly sophisticated and look for recognised halal logos on products.
• Competitive Advantage: Differentiate your products in a competitive market and open new retail distribution channels.

British Halal Authority (BHA) is an independent, non-profit halal certification body based in the United Kingdom. We operate under ISO/IEC 17065 standards and provide certification for food & beverage, commercial products, and pharmaceutical products. Our certifications are underpinned by a panel of qualified Islamic scholars.

The standard certification process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from the submission of a complete application and documentation. This includes document review, ingredient screening, site audit scheduling, and Scholars Panel review. For businesses requiring urgent certification for a trade deadline, BHA offers an expedited processing service at an additional fee. Please contact us to discuss expedited options.

The required documentation varies by sector, but generally includes:

• Complete ingredient lists for all products to be certified
• Supplier halal certificates (where ingredients are animal-derived)
• Technical data sheets / product specifications
• HACCP and food safety management plan
• Site layout plan and production flow chart
• Cleaning and sanitation records
• Staff training records
• Existing quality certifications (e.g. BRC, ISO 22000)

BHA provides a detailed document checklist upon acceptance of your application.

Under the BHA Annual Scheme, certificates are valid for 12 months and renewed annually following a surveillance inspection. Under the GSO/SMIIC Scheme, certificates are valid for 3 years, with a mid-term surveillance audit at approximately 18 months. Both schemes require continuous compliance with BHA halal standards throughout the certification period.

Yes. Upon receiving your BHA Halal Certificate, you are granted a licence to use the official BHA Halal logo on your certified products, packaging, and marketing materials for the duration of your certificate's validity. The use of the logo is governed by BHA's Logo Usage Policy, which specifies size requirements, colour usage, and prohibited modifications. Use of the logo must cease immediately if certification is suspended or terminated.

No. BHA does not accept mechanical slaughter. We require hand slaughter by trained, practising Muslim slaughtermen who recite the Tasmiyyah (Bismillah) over each animal individually. This is a fundamental requirement of our certification standard and is based on the scholarly consensus that individual dedication is required for each animal.

BHA's policy on stunning is as follows:

• Captive bolt stunning NOT accepted under any circumstances
• Percussion stunning NOT accepted
• Controlled electric water bath stunning for poultry Permitted under strict conditions (low amperage, reversible, verified by a veterinary surgeon to not cause death)
• Controlled electric head-only stunning for sheep and cattle Permitted under strict conditions (reversible, verified by a veterinary surgeon)
• No-stun slaughter Fully accepted and preferred by BHA

All stunning practices must be pre-approved by BHA's Scholars Panel and verified during audits.

E-numbers are codes assigned to food additives permitted for use within the European Union. They cover categories including colours (E100E199), preservatives (E200E299), antioxidants (E300E399), emulsifiers and stabilisers (E400E599), and others. The halal status of E-numbers depends on their source some may be derived from animal products (particularly porcine sources), synthetic chemicals, or plants. BHA's food technologists screen all E-numbers and additives as part of the ingredient review process. Common areas of concern include E120 (Carmine from insects), E441 (Gelatine), and E471 (Mono- and diglycerides which may be animal-derived).

Intentionally added alcohol in beverages is not permitted in BHA-certified products. However, the scholarly position varies on trace ethanol that may be present as a natural by-product of fermentation or as a technical carrier in flavourings. BHA follows applicable halal standards on maximum alcohol limits (e.g. GSO 2538 for the GCC market). Each case is reviewed individually by the Scholars Panel. Products certified under specific export market schemes will be assessed against the requirements of those markets.

Yes. BHA certificates are accepted in GCC member states including Saudi Arabia (SFDA/SASO recognised), UAE (EIAC recognised), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

BHA has established mutual recognition agreements with halal authorities in Malaysia (JAKIM) and Indonesia (BPJPH). Our certificates reference MS 1500 (Malaysian Standard) and SNI 99001/99004 (Indonesian Standards) as applicable. Businesses exporting to these markets should discuss their specific requirements with our certification team, as market-specific documentation may also be required at port of entry.

BHA certifies against a range of internationally recognised halal standards depending on the target market and product type:

• OIC/SMIIC 1 General Requirements for Halal Food
• GSO 2055-1 Halal Products: General Requirements for Halal Food (GCC)
• MS 1500 Malaysian Standard on Halal Food
• SNI 99004:2021 General Requirements of Halal Food (Indonesia)
• UAE.S 993 Animal Slaughtering Requirements
• MS 2565 Halal Packaging Guidelines
• OIC/SMIIC 24 General Requirements for Food Additives

Yes. BHA operates a dedicated Pharmaceutical Halal Certification programme for OTC medicines, prescription drugs, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, vitamins, and healthcare products. This programme involves specialist assessment of all excipients, capsule materials, coatings, and processing aids against applicable halal standards, with oversight from BHA scholars who have expertise in pharmaceutical science and Islamic rulings on medical necessity.

If a product contains porcine (pig-derived) gelatine, it cannot receive standard halal certification. However, BHA's Scholars Panel will consider whether a halal-compliant alternative (such as bovine halal gelatine, fish gelatine, or vegetarian/HPMC capsules) is available. If a halal alternative exists and is technically feasible, BHA will work with the manufacturer to reformulate. In cases where no alternative exists and the medicine is life-saving, BHA's scholars may issue a conditional ruling based on the principle of necessity (darurah), with appropriate disclosure.

The cost of halal certification with BHA varies based on several factors: the number of products to be certified, the number of manufacturing sites requiring audits, your industry sector, the number of employees, and any specific export market requirements. As a non-profit, BHA's fees are structured to cover only the genuine costs of providing a rigorous certification service. Application fees start from 150, with annual certification fees from 500. A free, no-obligation quotation is provided upon review of your application.

BHA is committed to full transparency in its pricing. All applicable fees are set out clearly in your quotation and Certification Agreement before any commitment is made. Fees may include: application fee, audit fee (based on number of auditor days), annual certification fee, and export consignment certificate fees (if applicable). There are no hidden charges. Any additional costs such as re-audit fees following a major non-conformity are clearly communicated in advance.

Yes. BHA offers Group Certification packages for businesses with multiple manufacturing sites, which provide a more cost-effective solution than individual site certifications. For businesses with a large product portfolio, economies of scale are reflected in our pricing. SMEs and start-up businesses may also be eligible for staged payment options. Please discuss your specific circumstances with our certification team for a tailored solution.