Foreign Certification Bodies Recognised by JAKIM (2026 Guide)

Before you can export food products to Malaysia as halal, your halal certification body must appear on JAKIM’s official list of recognised foreign certification bodies. This is the single most important check in the entire export process — and it is the step most foreign manufacturers overlook.

At a Glance

Fast takeaway: for most exporters, this article is not really about logos. It is about avoiding a wasted certification path by confirming that your chosen body is one Malaysia will actually accept.

Why JAKIM maintains a recognised body list

JAKIM cannot audit every food manufacturer in every country that wants to export to Malaysia. Instead, it delegates audit responsibility to approved foreign certification bodies — bodies it has reviewed and determined meet the requirements of the MS 1500:2019 Malaysian halal standard.

When a foreign body is on the JAKIM recognised list, certificates it issues are generally what Malaysian importers, distributors, and halal buyers expect to see as proof of acceptable halal compliance. When a body is not on the list, its certificates carry little practical weight in Malaysia, regardless of how credible that body is in its home market.

The list covers a large number of bodies across many countries. It is reviewed and updated by JAKIM periodically — bodies can be added, have their recognition suspended, or be removed.

Always verify against the current list at halal.gov.my — do not rely on a body’s own claim of JAKIM recognition without checking the official source.

Key recognised bodies by region

The following are among the major bodies that have historically held JAKIM recognition. Always verify current status on the JAKIM website before proceeding.

United Kingdom

• HFA — Halal Food Authority — one of the UK’s most recognised bodies, accepted by major retailers
• HMC — Halal Monitoring Committee — stricter slaughter standards, preferred for meat products
• HFCE — Halal Food Council of Europe (covers UK operations)

United States & Canada

• IFANCA — Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America — largest US body, widely recognised internationally
• ISNA Canada — Islamic Society of North America Canada — covers Canadian manufacturers
• IDCP — Islamic Dietary Compliance Program

Australia & New Zealand

• ANIC — Australian National Imams Council
• AFIC — Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
• FIANZ — Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand

Southeast Asia

• Indonesian bodies and authorities — verify the current official list carefully, as the Indonesian halal system has its own evolving structure and accepted routes
• MUIS — Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Singapore Islamic Religious Council)

Middle East & Africa

• SANHA — South African National Halaal Authority
• ESMA-accredited bodies (UAE) — some ESMA-accredited certifiers are also JAKIM-recognised
• Various Gulf Cooperation Council bodies — check the list for specifics

Europe

• Multiple European bodies are on the list — France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and others have at least one recognised body each. If you are a European manufacturer, check the JAKIM list for a body operating in your country.

How JAKIM recognition is granted

A foreign certification body that wants JAKIM recognition must apply to JAKIM and demonstrate that:

1. It operates an auditable halal certification programme
2. Its certification standard is compatible with MS 1500:2019
3. It has trained halal auditors and a documented quality management system
4. It is a credible body in its home jurisdiction (typically registered as a legal entity with a verifiable track record)

JAKIM may conduct an evaluation visit to the body’s offices and may review a sample of certificates it has issued. Recognition is granted for a specified period and must be renewed.

Recognition can be suspended or revoked if JAKIM finds that a body is issuing certificates without adequate auditing, or if certified products are found to contain haram ingredients.

What if your body is not on the list?

If your current halal certifier does not appear on JAKIM’s recognised foreign body list, you have three options:

Option 1 — Dual certification (fastest)

Engage a JAKIM-recognised body in your country to certify your Malaysia-bound products in parallel with your existing certification. This lets you keep your existing certificate for other markets while adding Malaysia-compliant certification.

Option 2 — Switch certifiers

If Malaysia is your primary target market, switching your entire certification to a JAKIM-recognised body may be the most efficient solution. It simplifies your certification overhead and gives you a single certificate that works for Malaysia and potentially other markets that accept the same body.

Option 3 — Help your body apply for JAKIM recognition

If your certifier wants to expand its international reach, they can apply to JAKIM for recognition. This takes time (typically 6–18 months) and is not guaranteed. It is not a practical option if you need market access in the near term.

Checking the list: a practical guide

JAKIM’s recognised body list is published at halal.gov.my under the “Pengiktirafan Badan Halal Luar Negara” (Foreign Halal Body Recognition) section. The list is typically available as a downloadable PDF and is searchable by country.

Steps to check:

1. Go to halal.gov.my
2. Navigate to the halal certification or foreign body section
3. Download the current recognised body list
4. Search for your certifier by name and country
5. Note the recognition status — some bodies may be listed with conditions or specific product scopes

If you cannot find your body on the list, contact JAKIM directly or contact your certifier to confirm their current recognition status before committing to an export strategy.

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Common Questions

Is a recognised body always recognised for everything?

Not necessarily. Some listings can be tied to particular scopes, products, or conditions. That is why exporters should check the current list carefully instead of assuming a body’s name alone settles the matter.

Should you trust a certifier’s website if it says it is recognised?

Treat that only as a starting point. The reliable check is still the current JAKIM source, because recognition status can change.

What is the fastest fallback if your current body is not listed?

For most manufacturers, the practical answer is dual certification with a recognised body rather than waiting for their existing certifier to pursue JAKIM recognition.

Next steps

• What Is JAKIM? — understand how JAKIM’s recognition system fits into Malaysia’s halal framework
• Exporting Halal Products to Malaysia — full step-by-step export guide
• Malaysia Halal Certification Guide (MS 1500:2019) — what the audit standard requires
• Halal Directory — Southeast Asia — browse JAKIM and recognised bodies in our directory
• Malaysia Market Access Hub — all Malaysia guides in one place