Halal Certification (MS 1500): Requirements and Readiness

What is Halal certification (MS 1500)?

MS 1500:2019 is the Malaysian Standard for Halal food — general requirements, third revision. It is widely used as a benchmark for Halal export markets and requires Shariah compliance across the supply chain: sourcing and verifying ingredients, manufacturing, packaging, storage and logistics.

In Malaysia, Halal certification is issued by JAKIM, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, and by state Islamic authorities for some applications. Applications are made through the MYeHALAL system.

Who needs it

Halal certification is relevant to any business that wants to sell products as Halal or serve Muslim consumers with confidence, including:

• Food and beverage manufacturers and ingredient suppliers.
• Restaurants, caterers and central kitchens.
• Logistics, warehousing and packaging companies in Halal supply chains.
• Exporters targeting markets that recognise Malaysian Halal certification.

For many buyers, retailers and importers, a recognised Halal certificate is a condition of doing business. It gives Muslim consumers confidence that ingredients, processing and handling meet Shariah requirements at every step.

Even businesses that do not handle meat need a controlled system, because Halal status can be affected by ingredients, additives, processing aids, shared equipment, cleaning chemicals and transport. The certificate covers how you manage all of these, not only the final product.

What MS 1500 requires

MS 1500 expects a documented Halal Assurance System supported by people, controls and records. In plain English:

• An Internal Halal Committee with defined roles, and trained internal Halal auditors or a Halal executive responsible for compliance.
• A Halal policy approved by management.
• Supplier Halal documentation and approval, with full traceability from raw material to finished product.
• An ingredient risk assessment so every material’s Halal status is known and controlled.
• Strict separation of Halal and non-Halal production lines, with dedicated storage and transport.
• Thorough cleaning procedures, including sertu (ritual cleansing) after contamination by najis.
• Proper Islamic slaughter, verified by authorised personnel, where it applies.
• A Halal Control Plan integrated with HACCP, plus hygiene, sanitation and pest control programmes.

Documents and evidence auditors expect

Auditors typically expect to see:

• Halal policy and Internal Halal Committee appointment records
• Halal Assurance System documentation and Halal Control Plan, with HACCP integration
• Ingredient risk assessments and a register of raw materials with valid Halal certificates or approved status
• Supplier approval and supplier audit records
• Traceability records from receiving to dispatch
• Cleaning and sanitation SOPs, including sertu records where required
• Hygiene and pest control records
• Halal training records for staff
• Internal Halal audit results
• Application documents such as the product list, process flow, ingredient list and premises layout

Photos and videos of segregated storage, labelling and production areas help show that the system works on the floor, not just on paper.

Keep certificates current. A supplier Halal certificate that has expired, or an ingredient added without review, is one of the most common reasons a well-run system still falls short at assessment.

How the certification process works

Preparation follows a clear path, although the authority sets the exact requirements for each application:

• Readiness check — compare your current documents, suppliers and premises with MS 1500.
• Build the Halal Assurance System — committee, policy, control plan, cleaning and traceability procedures.
• Verify materials and suppliers — collect valid Halal certificates and approvals for every ingredient.
• Internal Halal audit — check the system yourself and close findings.
• Apply through MYeHALAL — submit the application with the required documents.
• Assessment by the authority — the issuing authority reviews the application and audits your premises before deciding.

Fees, processing times and any staffing requirements are set by the issuing authority, so confirm the current rules with JAKIM or the relevant state authority before you apply.

How CertiFlow gets you audit-ready

For Halal, CertiFlow checks your Halal Assurance System documents against MS 1500, lists open tasks, drafts missing procedures and keeps supplier certificates, cleaning records, photos and videos in one place for the auditor.

1. Free pre-certification check — Answer 5 quick questions and get your full questionnaire by email, or choose an AI audit of your documents.
2. AI certification audit — Upload your policies, procedures and forms. AI checks them against the requirements and lists every task still open.
3. Fix the gaps — AI drafts missing policies, procedures and forms so your team reviews and approves instead of writing from scratch.
4. Collect and verify evidence — Keep documents, photos and videos in one place, organised by requirement and checked by AI.
5. Audit day — Everything your auditor needs is verifiable and in one place.

Free pre-certification check

Start with 5 quick questions about your Halal (MS 1500) journey. Receive your full questionnaire by email, or upload policies, SOPs and evidence for an AI pre-certification audit.

Start your free pre-certification check

Frequently asked questions

Who needs Halal certification?

Any business that wants to market products or services as Halal — food and beverage manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, restaurants and caterers, and logistics companies in Halal supply chains — as well as exporters serving markets that recognise Malaysian Halal certification.

What documents are needed for a Halal application?

Typically a product list, process flow, ingredient list with Halal certificates or approved status, premises layout, Halal policy, Halal Assurance System documentation, cleaning and sanitation procedures, and training and internal audit records. Confirm the current list in MYeHALAL before applying.

What is an Internal Halal Committee?

It is a team inside your organisation responsible for planning, running and checking your Halal Assurance System, with defined roles and support from management.

What is sertu?

Sertu is ritual cleansing required after contamination by severe najis. MS 1500 expects cleaning procedures to cover sertu where it is required, with records.

Can CertiFlow help with Halal readiness for export markets?

Yes. CertiFlow helps you prepare documents, supplier records and evidence against MS 1500, which is widely used as a benchmark for Halal export markets. Certification itself is issued by the relevant Halal authority.