Step 1: Check that your products are in scope
Certification bodies each have a scope. GHC certifies vegetarian food and drink, cosmetics and personal care, medicines, vitamins and supplements, cleaning and household products, finished products made with already-certified halal meat, and restaurants that serve no pork or alcohol. We do not certify butchers or slaughterhouses.
If your product contains meat, the meat itself must already carry a recognised halal certificate from its supplier before the finished product can be certified.
Step 2: Gather your documents
- A full ingredient list for each product, including processing aids, carriers and flavourings
- Supplier specifications or certificates for any animal-derived ingredient such as gelatin, glycerine or enzymes
- Details of any alcohol used in flavourings, extracts or cleaning stages
- For restaurants: your meat suppliers' halal certificates and confirmation that no pork or alcohol is served
Step 3: Submit and pay
With GHC you choose the number of certificates you need, pay securely by Stripe, and then submit your product and ingredient details through the online form. A certificate is $497 USD and stays valid for five years, so there is no annual renewal cycle to budget for.
Step 4: The review
The review team checks every ingredient against halal criteria, including hidden sources such as release agents, capsule shells and solvent carriers. If anything needs clarification, you receive a specific question rather than a generic rejection, and most queries are resolved with a supplier statement.
Step 5: Receive and use your certificate
You receive a numbered digital certificate valid for five years, plus the GHC certification mark for your packaging, website and trade documents. Buyers can verify the certificate number, and you can optionally list your company on the Halal Certified directory so importers and retailers can find you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get halal certification online?
Yes. For document-based categories the entire GHC process is online: payment, document submission, review questions and certificate delivery.
Do I need an on-site audit?
Not with GHC for in-scope categories. The review is based on ingredient and supplier documentation, which is what makes a three day turnaround possible.
How long does it take to get halal certification?
Three working days from a complete submission. Incomplete ingredient lists are the most common cause of delay, so gather supplier documents first.
How much does it cost to get halal certification?
$497 USD per certificate, valid five years. There are no annual fees. Directory listing is an optional $47 per month.