Purpose
This policy sets out the assurance that Halal Conformity Center (HCC) provides when it certifies a product, ingredient, or operation as Halal-conformant. A certificate is only as valuable as the work behind it, and this document explains what that work is and what we stand behind.
Our objective is simple to state and demanding to deliver: that any product carrying a valid HCC certificate genuinely conforms to the Halal requirements stated in its scope, at the moment it leaves the certified facility and for the full term of the certificate.
Scope
This policy applies to every certificate HCC issues, across all schemes — food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical, and operator programs — and to every party that relies on those certificates, including manufacturers, importers, retailers, regulators, and consumers.
It covers the certificate itself, the public record behind it, and the controls HCC maintains to keep that record true throughout the certification period.
Our assurance
Before a certificate is issued, an HCC auditor reviews the ingredient and supply documentation, inspects the facility where required, and refers questions of Shariah interpretation to our Shariah Board. A certificate is granted only when each in-scope element has been verified against the applicable Halal criteria.
Every certificate carries a unique identifier that anyone can check at the public verification service. The verifying party sees the exact scope, status, and validity — no account, nothing to install — so assurance does not depend on a paper document that can be altered or copied.
Certification is not a one-time event. Each certified record is re-examined through an annual surveillance audit so that a certificate reflects current reality, not the state of a facility at a single past inspection.
What we guarantee
If HCC determines, after assessment, that a product or operation cannot be certified to the requested scope, the corresponding certification fee is refunded in full. We would rather decline than issue a certificate we cannot stand behind.
Where credible evidence shows that a certified product no longer conforms, HCC will suspend or withdraw the certificate, update the public record immediately, and follow the steps in our Consumer Feedback, Incident & Product Recall Response Policy.
HCC does not guarantee commercial outcomes such as market acceptance in a specific country; recognition in destination markets is reached through our partner network and is addressed in the relevant scheme and recognition materials.
Responsibilities of the certified operator
Certification is a shared commitment. The certified operator must keep the certified product and process consistent with the approved scope, notify HCC of any material change to ingredients, suppliers, or process before that change reaches certified output, and cooperate with scheduled and unannounced verification.
Use of the HCC mark and certificate is limited to the products and scope stated on the record. Misuse, or any attempt to imply a wider scope than was granted, is grounds for suspension.
Implementation, review & contact
This policy is owned by HCC management and reviewed at least annually, and whenever a scheme requirement or partner-network expectation changes materially. Auditors and technical staff are briefed on any revision before it takes effect.
Questions about the assurance behind a specific certificate, or about this policy, can be directed to HCC at info@halalcc.org.
Questions about this policy?
Our team can clarify any point or direct your question to the right people at HCC.