Purpose
Impartiality is the foundation of a trustworthy certification body. This policy sets out how HCC keeps its decisions objective, manages threats to that objectivity, and treats every applicant fairly regardless of who they are.
Scope
This policy applies to all certification activities and to everyone who takes part in an assessment or decision — auditors, technical reviewers, Shariah Board members, and management.
Commitment to impartiality
HCC certification decisions are based solely on objective evidence that a product or operation conforms to the applicable Halal requirements. Decisions are not influenced by the size of the client, the value of the engagement, or any commercial or personal relationship.
HCC understands that the importance of impartiality is essential to delivering certification that the market can trust, and it actively manages any situation that could compromise that impartiality.
Managing threats to impartiality
HCC identifies and assesses risks to its impartiality on an ongoing basis — including those arising from relationships, finances, and pressures from clients or other parties — and takes action to eliminate or minimise them.
Where a threat cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, HCC will decline or withdraw from the activity. The separation of religious determination from commercial activity, set out in the Shariah Compliance Policy, is one of the principal safeguards.
HCC does not offer consultancy that would compromise the independence of its assessment of the same client, and it does not let advisory or commercial interests dictate a certification outcome.
Non-discrimination and fair access
Certification is open to any eligible applicant. HCC does not discriminate on grounds of nationality, size, ownership, membership of an association, religion of the operator, or any factor unrelated to whether the product or operation meets the Halal requirements.
Conditions of certification, including fees and timelines, are applied consistently. No applicant receives an undue advantage or is subject to undue conditions.
Implementation, review & contact
Personnel declare relationships that could affect their objectivity, and assignments are arranged so that no individual assesses work in which they have an interest. This policy is reviewed at least annually and read alongside the Conflict of Interest & Anti-Bribery Policy.
Concerns about impartiality, and questions about this policy, may be raised with 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.