JAKIM — the Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia — is Malaysia’s official halal authority. If you are a food manufacturer, importer, or exporter looking to access the Malaysian market, understanding JAKIM is not optional. Everything about halal compliance in Malaysia flows through this single body.
At a Glance
What is JAKIM?
Malaysia’s main halal authority for national standards, logo control, and foreign body recognition.
Can foreign manufacturers apply directly?
Usually no. Exporters normally work through a JAKIM-recognised certifier in their own market.
Why does JAKIM matter?
For many Malaysia-bound products, the recognised-body list is the key gatekeeper for halal market access.
What standard sits underneath it?
MS 1500:2019 for halal food production, handling, and storage.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What is JAKIM? | Malaysia’s main halal authority for national standards, logo control, and foreign body recognition |
| Can foreign manufacturers apply directly? | Usually no. Exporters normally work through a JAKIM-recognised certifier in their own market |
| Why does JAKIM matter? | For many Malaysia-bound products, the recognised-body list is the key gatekeeper for halal market access |
| What standard sits underneath it? | MS 1500:2019 for halal food production, handling, and storage |
What JAKIM is
Established in 1997 under the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Department, JAKIM is the central government agency responsible for halal certification in Malaysia. It sets the standard, issues the official Malaysian halal logo, and maintains the list of foreign certification bodies whose certificates are accepted for imported food products.
JAKIM operates at the federal level. At the state level, it works through State Islamic Religious Departments (known as JAIN or MAIN depending on the state), which can conduct local halal audits and issue state-level certificates. For imported products and major food manufacturers, federal JAKIM certification is the benchmark that buyers and importers expect.
JAKIM’s scope is broad. It covers:
- Food and beverages
- Food ingredients and food additives
- Food packaging that contacts food directly
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Pharmaceuticals
- Consumer goods
For the purposes of this guide, we focus on food and beverage exports.
The Malaysian halal logo
The official Malaysian halal logo — a crescent moon and star with “HALAL” in Arabic and “JAKIM” below it — is one of the most recognised halal marks in the world. It signals that a product has been certified under MS 1500:2019, Malaysia’s national halal standard.
This logo cannot be used without JAKIM authorisation. Using an imitation or unofficial logo to imply JAKIM certification is a criminal offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 in Malaysia. As an exporter, you will not be permitted to display this logo on your product simply because you hold halal certification at home. The logo is issued specifically by JAKIM or an endorsed foreign body operating under JAKIM recognition.
What buyers look for: the official JAKIM mark is the visual signal that a product’s halal claim is tied to Malaysia’s recognised certification system, not just a generic halal label.
The MS 1500:2019 standard
All food products certified under JAKIM must comply with MS 1500:2019 — the Malaysian Standard for Halal Food: Production, Preparation, Handling and Storage. Published by SIRIM (the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia), MS 1500:2019 replaced the 2009 version and introduced updated requirements around cross-contamination controls, traceability documentation, and supply chain verification.
Key requirements under MS 1500:2019 include:
- All ingredients must be halal — including additives, processing aids, and flavourings
- The production facility must prevent cross-contamination with haram or najis (impure) substances
- Equipment and utensils must be dedicated or properly cleaned
- Slaughter of animals must follow Islamic rites (for meat products)
- Documentation of the entire supply chain from raw ingredient to finished product
For manufacturers already working under HACCP, ISO 22000, or BRC standards, many of these controls will be familiar — the JAKIM audit layers halal-specific requirements on top of existing food safety frameworks.
How JAKIM recognition works for exporters
Foreign manufacturers cannot apply to JAKIM directly. The process works through recognised foreign certification bodies:
- JAKIM maintains an approved list of foreign halal certification bodies and recognised Islamic authorities for overseas markets.
- A foreign manufacturer applies to a recognised body in their country.
- That body conducts an audit against MS 1500:2019 and issues a halal certificate.
- That certification is what Malaysian importers and buyers usually expect when assessing halal market access for imported food.
The critical first step is always checking whether your current certification body is on JAKIM’s recognised list. If it is, you are already working with the right partner. If it is not, you will need to either engage a recognised body or work with your existing certifier to obtain dual certification.
→ See our full guide: Foreign Certification Bodies Recognised by JAKIM
Why JAKIM recognition matters beyond Malaysia
JAKIM’s recognised body list has become a strong credibility signal in halal trade. Even where another country has its own approval process, buyers often view JAKIM-recognised certification as evidence that a manufacturer already operates to a demanding halal standard.
That does not mean JAKIM recognition automatically unlocks every other market. Exporters should still check the importing country’s own halal rules, competent authority, and accepted-body list before treating Malaysia-focused certification as region-wide clearance.
Common Questions
What does JAKIM stand for?
JAKIM stands for Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia, usually translated as the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia.
Is JAKIM certification legally mandatory?
Not for every food product in every domestic scenario. But if a product is being sold on a halal claim, or is trying to enter halal-sensitive Malaysian retail, distribution, or institutional channels, recognised certification becomes commercially very important.
What should exporters check first?
The first question is simple: is your certifying body on JAKIM’s recognised list? If the answer is no, that usually matters more than any other preparation work you do next.
Next steps
- Exporting Halal Products to Malaysia — the full step-by-step process for foreign manufacturers
- Foreign Certification Bodies Recognised by JAKIM — check if your body is on the list
- Malaysia Halal Certification Guide (MS 1500:2019) — what the audit covers and what to prepare
- Malaysia Market Access Hub — overview of all Malaysia-related guides
- Halal Directory — Southeast Asia — browse JAKIM and other Southeast Asia cert bodies
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