Purpose
This policy defines how HCC ensures that every certification decision rests on sound Shariah grounds. Halal certification is, at its core, a religious determination supported by technical evidence; this document explains how the two are kept aligned and how religious authority is exercised.
Scope
The policy applies to all HCC schemes and to every member of the Shariah Board, every auditor, and every technical reviewer whose work feeds a Halal determination. It governs the way Shariah questions are raised, deliberated, and recorded.
Guiding principles
HCC determinations are grounded in established Islamic jurisprudence on lawful and unlawful substances and processes, drawing on recognised schools of thought and the standards promoted by international Halal bodies within our partner network.
Where scholarly opinion differs, the Shariah Board adopts a defensible and consistently applied position, documents its reasoning, and accounts for the requirements of the destination markets a certified product is intended to reach.
A determination is made on evidence. Ingredient sources, processing aids, and points of contamination risk are established factually before any ruling is applied to them.
The Shariah Board
HCC maintains a Shariah Board of qualified scholars who hold final authority over questions of Halal permissibility. Technical and commercial staff prepare and present the evidence; the religious ruling itself belongs to the Board.
The Board reviews scheme criteria, rules on novel or borderline cases referred by auditors, and approves the technical guidance that auditors apply day to day. Its decisions are recorded so that like cases are treated alike over time.
Independence from commercial pressure
Religious oversight is insulated from commercial interest. No commercial relationship, fee, or sales target may influence a Shariah determination, and Board members do not have their judgement overridden by management.
Where a determination would block or narrow a certification, that determination stands regardless of the revenue at stake. This separation is reinforced by HCC's Impartiality and Conflict of Interest policies.
Supervision, review & contact
Auditors operate under Shariah Board supervision and must refer any case they cannot resolve within approved guidance. The Board reviews its standing guidance periodically and whenever new evidence, ingredients, or partner-network standards warrant it.
Questions about a Shariah determination or this policy may be addressed to HCC at info@halalcc.org for referral to the Board.
Questions about this policy?
Our team can clarify any point or direct your question to the right people at HCC.