Can Halal Certification Be Obtained in Korea? — Decide the Export Country Before Choosing a Certification Body — 법률 칼럼 | ETHOS

Hello, this is Administrative Agent Jean.

You may have seen a HALAL mark on packages of Korean snacks or products such as Buldak ramen at a supermarket.

That naturally raises the question:

“Can products made in Korea also receive halal certification?”

The answer is:

Yes. Halal certification can be obtained in Korea.

But the next question should be:

Not “Where should we get certified?”
but “Which country will we export to?”

This distinction is important.

Halal certification is not a single universal certificate that is automatically accepted worldwide.

Receiving halal certification in Korea does not mean that one certificate will automatically allow entry into Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and every other market.

In actual export practice, the process should be reviewed as a connected structure:

Decide the export country
→ Check certification bodies recognized by that country
→ Review ingredients and manufacturing process
→ Undergo certification review
→ Check local registration and customs procedures

This article explains what Korean companies should actually prepare when seeking halal certification.

First, Halal Is Not Just “Islamic Slaughter Certification”

Halal, حلال, means permitted or lawful in Arabic.

In the food sector, halal review does not only check whether prohibited ingredients such as pork or alcohol are included.

It may also review:

What the raw materials are
Where animal-derived ingredients come from
Whether non-halal substances may mix during manufacturing
Whether contamination may occur during storage, cleaning, or transport

In other words, halal review looks at the entire process by which the product is made.

It is therefore not accurate to understand halal certification as the same thing as Korea’s HACCP system.

HACCP is a food safety system that controls food hazards, while halal certification is a separate certification system that checks whether ingredients, processes, and handling comply with Islamic standards.

Can Halal Certification Obtained in Korea Be Used Overseas?

It may be possible.

But which certification body issued the certificate matters.

Each country operates its own list of recognized Foreign Halal Certification Bodies.

Malaysia is a representative example.

Malaysia’s JAKIM operates a system requiring imported products labeled as halal to be certified by foreign halal certification bodies recognized by JAKIM.

As of January 30, 2026, two Korean institutions appear on JAKIM’s official list of recognized foreign halal certification bodies:

Korea Muslim Federation, KMF

Korea Halal Authority Corporation, KHA

Therefore, if you are preparing to export to Malaysia, the question is not simply:

“Korean halal certification has been obtained.”

The question should be:

“Was the certificate issued by a body currently recognized by JAKIM?”

Another important point is that recognition lists are not permanently fixed.

JAKIM sets recognition periods for foreign certification bodies, conducts reassessments, and may withdraw recognition for certain bodies.

So it is risky to rely only on a certification body list found in an old blog post.

It is safer to check the latest official recognition list of the export country immediately before applying.

For Indonesia Exports, 2026 Is Especially Important

If your company is reviewing halal certification now, Indonesia is difficult to ignore.

Indonesia’s halal assurance agency, BPJPH, Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal, has been expanding mandatory halal certification in stages.

BPJPH has officially announced plans to implement the next stage of mandatory halal requirements, including imported products, from October 18, 2026.

This may include not only food and beverages, but also cosmetics, certain health-related products, raw materials, and additives.

For Korean companies, this is a significant change.

In the past, companies may have approached halal certification as:

“We will get halal certification if the Indonesian buyer asks for it.”

Going forward, depending on the product category, halal certification may increasingly need to be treated as a regulatory requirement for market entry itself.

But for Indonesia, “Having a Korean Certificate” Is Not the End

This is one of the most important points.

BPJPH is building a mutual recognition system with foreign halal certification bodies.

But mutual recognition does not mean:

“Just take one Korean halal certificate to Indonesian customs and everything is done.”

BPJPH currently operates a separate Overseas Halal Certificate Registration service.

BPJPH also explains that mutual recognition does not invalidate foreign halal certification, but rather simplifies procedures by allowing certificates issued by recognized foreign certification bodies to be used.

In other words, an additional structure may be required:

Certification in Korea
→ Check BPJPH recognition in Indonesia
→ Complete local procedures such as overseas certificate registration

So when obtaining a halal certificate, companies should not look only at the certificate issuance date.

It is also wise to decide in advance with the Indonesian importer who will handle the follow-up registration process.

“Then If We Get KMF or KHA Certification, Does It Work for Indonesia Too?”

This question must be answered carefully.

BPJPH has previously disclosed records of evaluating or pursuing mutual recognition cooperation with Korean halal bodies, including KMF and KHA.

However, which institution is currently registered as a valid foreign halal certification body under BPJPH, and for which product categories, must be checked again in BPJPH’s official LHLN database at the time of application.

As of 2026, BPJPH indicates recognition scopes by foreign certification body, such as:

Food
Beverages
Cosmetics
Pharmaceuticals
Chemical products
Slaughter

Therefore, it is not enough to confirm only:

“This certification body is recognized in Indonesia.”

You must also check:

“Is our product category included in the recognized scope?”

This is an important practical difference.

What Is Different About Malaysia?

Malaysia’s halal certification system is managed by JAKIM, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia.

JAKIM officially recognizes foreign halal certification bodies and publishes the list.

As of January 2026, 94 bodies from 47 countries and regions are on the recognition list, and Korea has two listed bodies: KMF and KHA.

Meat and meat-based products are subject to stricter standards.

JAKIM rules state that meat and poultry imported into Malaysia must be certified by a JAKIM-recognized foreign halal certification body, and production facilities may also require approval by JAKIM and Malaysia’s veterinary authorities.

In other words, ramen, snacks, cosmetics, and meat products should not be treated the same way.

Depending on the product category, it may be necessary to check not only whether the certification body is recognized, but also whether facility approval itself is required.

For Saudi Arabia, Should We Assume All Food Products Always Require the Same Halal Certification?

This also requires some distinction.

Saudi Arabia’s SFDA food import rules clearly require halal-related documentation for meat and products containing meat ingredients.

SFDA requires a Halal Slaughter Certificate for meat imported into Saudi Arabia, and products containing meat ingredients may require a Halal Certificate that meets applicable halal standards.

SFDA’s general import guidance also indicates that documents such as a certificate of origin, halal certificate, and slaughter certificate may be required depending on the item.

Therefore, rather than saying:

“All food exports to Saudi Arabia require the same halal certification,”

it is more accurate to understand that:

Halal certification, slaughter certificates, SFDA registration, and import requirements should be checked together depending on the product’s ingredients and type.

Products containing meat or animal-derived ingredients should be reviewed much more strictly than general snacks or plant-based products.

So What Differs by Country?

The overall picture can be summarized as follows.

| Target Market | What to Check First | What Korean Companies Often Miss | |---|---|---| | Malaysia | JAKIM-recognized foreign halal certification bodies | Current recognition status and product scope of the certification body | | Indonesia | BPJPH recognition system + overseas certificate registration | Local procedures may remain after the Korean certificate is issued | | Saudi Arabia | SFDA import requirements + product-specific halal requirements | Requirements differ depending on animal-derived ingredients or meat content |

The most important point in this table is not the first column.

It is the fact that all three countries have different procedures.

That is why halal certification should be viewed not merely as:

“Getting a certificate”

but rather as:

“Designing a certification structure so that the product can actually be sold in the target market.”

In Actual Certification, Ingredients May Become the First Barrier

Many companies think:

“Our product does not contain pork or alcohol, so it should not be difficult.”

But in actual review, the origin of ingredients may matter more than the product name.

For example, a snack may contain many ingredients such as:

Flavoring
Emulsifier
Gelatin
Enzymes
Oils and fats
Whey
Coloring
Processing aids

If some ingredients are animal-derived, their origin may need to be confirmed.

If an ingredient is compound, documents from the supplier that manufactured that ingredient may also be required.

So it is difficult to determine:

“Halal is possible”

“Halal is impossible”

based only on one product ingredient label.

The Factory Is Also Reviewed — Certification Is Not a Sticker Review

This is the second point that often surprises companies.

Halal certification does not review only the product.

It also reviews the process.

Even if halal ingredients are used, problems may arise if there is a possibility of mixing or contamination with non-halal ingredients during manufacturing.

Depending on the case, the review may check:

Raw material receiving
Storage
Manufacturing line
Cleaning
Production sequence
Packaging
Finished product storage
Prevention of cross-contamination
Record management

For this reason, approaching halal certification after product development is complete by saying:

“Now that we are exporting, let’s just add a halal mark.”

may actually take longer.

Consider This Situation

A Korean food company produces sauce.

The product itself does not contain pork.

However, one flavor-enhancing ingredient comes from an overseas supplier.

The supplier cannot immediately confirm the detailed origin of the ingredient.

The factory also produces another product on a different line that contains non-halal animal-derived ingredients.

Meanwhile, the sales team has already agreed on a delivery date with an Indonesian buyer.

Now the issue is no longer just whether one product is halal.

The company must review several issues at the same time:

Whether the ingredient can continue to be used
Whether substitute ingredients are needed
Whether supplier documents can be obtained
Whether the production line can be managed
Which certification body should be used
When Indonesian registration can be completed

That is why starting certification only after the export date is fixed can easily delay the schedule.

Recommended Sequence for Preparing Halal Certification in Korea

1. Decide the Export Country Before the Product

First decide whether the target market is:

Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, or another country.

If there is more than one export country, check whether one recognition system can be used efficiently across multiple target markets.

2. Check the Certification Bodies Recognized by the Export Country

The key question is not whether the certification body is well known in Korea.

The key question is:

“Is it currently recognized by the target country?”

Do not check only the name of the recognized body.

Also check recognized product scope and validity period.

For Malaysia, KMF and KHA appear on JAKIM’s official 2026 list.

For Indonesia, it is safer to check each institution’s recognition scope in BPJPH’s LHLN database.

3. Prepare the Full Ingredient List First

Do not prepare only the product ingredient label.

For each ingredient, organize:

Ingredient name
→ Manufacturer
→ Supplier
→ Country of origin
→ Whether it is animal-derived
→ Whether alcohol or enzymes are involved
→ Whether existing halal certification exists

For compound ingredients, additional materials on sub-ingredients may be required.

4. Map the Manufacturing Process

Organize how the product is actually made in the factory.

Connect the process from receiving ingredients to manufacturing, cleaning, packaging, and storage.

If non-halal products are produced using the same equipment, cross-contamination prevention and cleaning methods should be checked in advance.

5. Prepare for Document Review and On-Site Audit

A certification body may review not only submitted documents but also actual manufacturing conditions.

Therefore, the documented process and actual factory operation should not differ.

For example, if the documents state that raw material storage is separated but the materials are actually stored together on-site, corrective issues may arise.

6. Check the “Scope” of the Certificate

This is often missed.

Having one certificate does not mean that:

all company products

all products manufactured at the factory

are automatically halal-certified.

You must confirm exactly:

Which product
Which production facility
Which certification scope

is covered.

If products are added or ingredients or processes are changed, check whether additional procedures are required.

7. Check Whether Local Procedures Remain After Certification

This is where export practice becomes decisive.

Especially in countries like Indonesia that operate local registration systems for overseas halal certificates, the project should not be treated as complete just because the certificate has been issued.

With the local importer, check whether any of the following procedures remain:

Registration
Labeling
Product notification
Customs clearance
Additional permits or approvals

“Can We Get Certified First and Decide the Export Country Later?”

In some cases, it may be possible.

But if export is the actual purpose, it is not recommended.

For example, suppose a Korean company first receives halal certification from a domestic certification body.

A few months later, a deal is made with a major Malaysian distributor.

At that point, the company discovers that the certification body is not on JAKIM’s current recognition list.

Then the certification cost and time already spent may not be sufficient for entering the Malaysian market.

If Malaysia had been selected as the target market from the beginning, the company would have checked JAKIM’s current recognized body list first.

This is why, in halal certification, “where will we sell?” comes before “which certification is good?”

In 2026, Indonesia Exporters Have a Particular Reason to Check Quickly

It is now August 2026.

There is not much time left until October 18, 2026, the next stage of halal mandatory implementation officially announced by BPJPH.

Imported products are an important part of this stage.

Therefore, companies planning to export the following products to Indonesia in the second half of this year should check their status early:

Food
Beverages
Cosmetics
Health-related products
Food ingredients and additives

Rather than waiting and thinking:

“Our buyer has not said anything yet, so it should be fine,”

it is better to first confirm whether the product falls within the applicable categories.

BPJPH states that violations involving mandatory products may result in warnings, administrative sanctions, cancellation of certification, product withdrawal, and similar measures.

Eight Questions to Check Before Preparing Halal Certification

If you are preparing for export, answer these questions first.

1. Which country will the product be exported to?

2. Is the product food, cosmetics, or a health-related product?

3. Which Korean certification bodies are recognized by the target country?

4. Does the recognized scope of that body include your product category?

5. Are there animal-derived ingredients, flavorings, enzymes, or alcohol-related ingredients?

6. Can you obtain ingredient documents from all suppliers?

7. Does the same factory also produce non-halal products?

8. After certification, will registration, labeling, customs clearance, or other procedures remain in the target country?

If you can answer these questions immediately, preparation is already well underway.

If more than half remain unclear, it is better to organize the export structure first rather than starting with the certification application.

The Real Cost of Halal Certification Is Not Only the Certification Fee

When companies first inquire, the main question is usually the certification cost.

But the actual project cost is not determined only by the fee paid to the certification body.

If an existing ingredient cannot be used, substitute ingredient testing may be required.

If suppliers cannot provide documents, new suppliers may need to be found.

If production separation is required, the production plan itself may need to change.

And if the wrong certification body is chosen, additional costs may arise later when entering another market.

Therefore, the first cost to reduce in a halal project is not the certification fee.

It is the cost of rework caused by preparing in the wrong direction.

That Is Why Halal Certification Should Be Reviewed Together With Export Administration

If halal certification is viewed separately, it may look like a religious certification.

But from the perspective of a Korean exporter, it is actually one market-entry process:

Product
→ Ingredients
→ Manufacturing process
→ Certification body
→ Recognition by export country
→ Local registration
→ Customs clearance

Especially in countries like Indonesia, where mutual recognition of foreign certification bodies and overseas certificate registration coexist, certification and administration cannot easily be separated.

Connecting these elements from the beginning can reduce the risk of a situation where:

“the halal certificate has been obtained, but export cannot proceed.”

Summary — Certification Can Be Obtained in Korea, but Starting With the Certification Body Reverses the Order

The key points are as follows.

Halal certification can be obtained in Korea.

As of January 2026, Korea’s KMF and KHA are listed as recognized bodies on Malaysia JAKIM’s official foreign halal certification body list.

But that alone is not enough.

For Malaysia, you must check whether the issuing body is recognized by JAKIM.

For Indonesia, you must check BPJPH recognition of foreign certification bodies, overseas certificate registration, and other follow-up procedures. The expansion of mandatory halal requirements, including imported products, is scheduled from October 2026.

For Saudi Arabia, SFDA import rules and product-specific halal certificate or slaughter certificate requirements must be checked depending on the product type and ingredients. Requirements for meat and meat-containing products are especially clear.

The recommended order is:

Decide the export country
→ Check recognized certification bodies
→ Review product and ingredients
→ Review manufacturing process
→ Obtain certification
→ Check local registration and customs clearance

Halal certification is not simply adding a mark at the end.

It is closer to a certification strategy that should be designed from the stage of selecting the export market.

If You Are Reviewing Halal Certification but Do Not Know Where to Start

You do not need to prepare every document yet.

You can first organize:

Intended export country
Product name and category
Full ingredient list
Manufacturing factory
Current overseas buyer

These materials can help determine which certification system should be reviewed first.

Ethos Administrative Agent Office reviews publicly available local regulations and certification structures related to Korean companies entering Middle Eastern and Muslim markets, and also reviews export-related administrative documents, overseas submission documents, Arabic materials, and English materials within the scope of Korean administrative agent services.

However, actual halal suitability determination and certification decisions are made by the relevant halal certification body. Specific legal, tax, customs, or local regulatory judgments regarding the export country should be confirmed with local experts or competent authorities where necessary.

References

Malaysia JAKIM, The Recognized Foreign Halal Certification Bodies & Authorities, 2026.
Indonesia BPJPH, guidance on foreign halal certification bodies and overseas certificate registration.
Indonesia BPJPH, guidance on October 2026 mandatory halal implementation and imported products.
Saudi Food and Drug Authority, SFDA, food import and animal product Halal Certificate requirements.

This article does not guarantee certification by any specific halal certification body and does not provide local legal or customs advice for any specific country.

Can Halal Certification Be Obtained in Korea? — Decide the Export Country Before Choosing a Certification Body