Introducing JAKIM and the Halal System: Who Certifies, What Is Certified, and How to Apply

In Malaysia, the official competent authority for halal certification is the "Department of Islamic Development Malaysia" (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia, JAKIM). Under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, JAKIM at the federal level, and the State Islamic Religious Councils (JAIN / MAIN) at the state level, are the only statutory authorities empowered to certify food, goods or services as "Halal." That is to say, in the Malaysian market, only the halal mark issued by JAKIM (or a state council) is officially recognised; printing the word "Halal" yourself or using an unrecognised mark may constitute illegal marking.

What JAKIM is: legal basis and positioning

JAKIM is a federal-level Islamic affairs institution, and halal certification is handled by its Halal Management Division (Bahagian Pengurusan Halal). Its role is not merely to "issue certificates," but to be the gatekeeper of the entire halal ecosystem:

• Setting and updating standards: JAKIM, together with the Department of Standards Malaysia (DOSM), establishes halal standards—for example the halal food standard MS1500 (currently MS1500:2019), and a series of halal standards covering logistics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and more.
• Reviewing and certifying: accepting applications, conducting on-site audits, issuing halal certificates, and having the power to suspend or revoke for non-compliance.
• Recognising overseas bodies: recognising Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (FHCB); imported halal ingredients / products often must come from JAKIM's recognised list.
• Supervision and auditing: compliance must be maintained after certification, and JAKIM conducts renewal audits.

Which categories JAKIM certifies

JAKIM's halal certification is "scheme-based," with different review focuses and certificate validity periods for different industries. Common schemes include:

Certificate validity varies by category: general food products and food premises are often 2 years, abattoirs about 1 year, and logistics / cosmetics / pharmaceuticals mostly 3 years; those with long-term compliance and a good record may obtain a longer validity. This is subject to JAKIM's current rules.

MYeHALAL: the only online application portal

JAKIM's halal certification applications are all submitted through the official online system MYeHALAL (myehalal.halal.gov.my), which is the single channel for both local and overseas businesses to apply. The basic process is:

1. Register an account on MYeHALAL and create a company / business profile.
2. Select the corresponding certification scheme by product category, complete the application, and upload documents (company registration, ingredient list and source proof, manufacturing process, supplier halal certificates, etc.).
3. Pay the application fee.
4. JAKIM conducts document review and on-site auditing.
5. Upon passing, the halal certificate is issued and can be verified through official channels; the public can also verify it using the "Verify Halal" app or the official website.

The review timeline is usually measured in "several months," depending on the category, document completeness and audit scheduling; it should be subject to JAKIM's current announcements, and lead time should be reserved.

Import vs local: the difference in halal certification

Local manufacturing and imports take different paths under the halal system: local businesses apply directly to JAKIM (or a state council) for the halal certification of the corresponding scheme; imported halal products / ingredients usually require their source body to be on JAKIM's recognised Foreign Halal Certification Body (FHCB) list, or to be handled through another JAKIM procedure. If imported ingredients are used in a local manufacturing application, whether the supplier holds JAKIM-recognised halal proof is often the key to passing.

Common mistakes

• Assuming "pork-free means halal"—halal looks not only at ingredients but also at source, manufacturing process, cross-contamination, and the entire supply chain.
• Using a halal mark not recognised by JAKIM / a state council, which constitutes false marking.
• Halal proof for imported ingredients coming from a body not recognised by JAKIM, causing the local application to stall.
• Confusing the division of duties between JAKIM and the state religious councils, and submitting to the wrong window.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Is halal certification mandatory? Halal certification itself is mostly voluntary, but once you want to use the "Halal" mark or make a halal claim on packaging, you must obtain official certification from JAKIM or a state council; marking without recognition is illegal.

Q: How are duties divided between JAKIM and the State Islamic Religious Councils? JAKIM leads standards and certification at the federal level, and the state councils (JAIN / MAIN) are also statutory authorities at the state level; both belong to the officially recognised system.

Q: Can foreign brands obtain a JAKIM halal certificate? Yes, overseas businesses can apply through MYeHALAL; in addition, JAKIM also recognises listed Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (FHCB).

Q: How long is a halal certificate valid? It varies by category, commonly 2 years for food, 3 years for cosmetics / pharmaceuticals / logistics, and about 1 year for abattoirs; this is subject to JAKIM's rules.

Q: Where do you apply and verify? Applications are all through MYeHALAL (myehalal.halal.gov.my); verification can be done via the official website or the "Verify Halal" app.

Self-check list

• [ ] Confirmed the corresponding JAKIM certification scheme for the product (food / cosmetics / logistics…)
• [ ] Prepared the ingredient list and supplier halal certificates (the source must be JAKIM-recognised)
• [ ] The source body of imported ingredients is on JAKIM's recognised list
• [ ] Registered on MYeHALAL and created a business profile
• [ ] The mark is printed only after the certificate is obtained, and the official mark is used

Conclusion

JAKIM is the official backbone of Malaysia's halal system: the statutory authority under the Halal marking order 2011, it sets standards such as MS1500, reviews categories such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, logistics and contract manufacturing on a scheme basis, and accepts applications through the single MYeHALAL portal while recognising overseas bodies. To enter the halal market, first confirm the certification scheme corresponding to your product and the halal source of your ingredients, then submit through MYeHALAL. To understand the complete application and marking rules, read on in the Halal JAKIM Certification Guide; to grasp the overall entry order, see the Malaysia Market Entry Roadmap.

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This article is compiled from official sources and is for reference only; actual compliance is subject to the latest official text and review by the competent authority.