Exclusive partner certification-body serviceCAS Partner — GHCOHalal

Halal Certification — GHCO

CAS is the exclusive Egypt partner of the Global Halal Control Office (GHCO). Halal certification against OIC/SMIIC 1:2019, GSO 2055-1:2015, UAE.S 2055-1:2015, and BPJBH 2023 for access to 57+ OIC member state markets.

Standard

OIC/SMIIC 1:2019 · GSO 2055-1:2015 · UAE.S 2055-1:2015 · BPJBH 2023

Service type

Exclusive partner CB

Issued under

Exclusive partner CB

What it is

Halal certification verifies that products and processes comply with Islamic dietary law and ethical standards across the entire food chain — from raw materials to final product. The Global Halal Control Office (GHCO), headquartered in Jordan, is an internationally recognised Halal certification body operating under the Halal Quality Control Group. CAS is GHCO's exclusive authorised partner in Egypt, issuing certificates that carry full international recognition across OIC member states, GCC markets, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Who needs it

Food and beverage manufacturers, slaughterhouses, catering and food service companies, cosmetics producers, pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturers, logistics and cold-chain operators — any organisation targeting Muslim-majority markets or buyers requiring Halal-certified supply chains.

Standards we certify against

OIC/SMIIC 1:2019

General Requirements for Halal Food — the standard of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), adopted across 57 OIC member states. Covers sources of halal food, slaughtering rules, food processing, machinery, storage, hygiene, traceability, and labelling requirements.

OIC/SMIIC 2:2019

Conformity Assessment — Requirements for Bodies Providing Halal Certification. The SMIIC standard that sets the competence, impartiality and process requirements for halal certification bodies — the halal-scheme counterpart to ISO/IEC 17021-1. GHCO operates its halal certification scheme in line with OIC/SMIIC 2:2019, which underpins the international recognition of the certificate CAS issues on its behalf.

GSO 2055-1:2015

Halal Food — Part 1: General Requirements, issued by the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO). Mandatory for halal food imports and market access across GCC member states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman).

UAE.S 2055-1:2015

UAE National Standard for Halal Food — Part 1: General Requirements. Required for products entering the UAE market and widely accepted across the Emirates for imported halal food products.

BPJBH Decree Nr. 20 of 2023

Indonesia — Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH) regulations governing halal product certification for the Indonesian market, the world's largest Muslim-majority country. Required for food and beverage products exported to Indonesia.

Scope categories

Food & Beverages

All food products, beverages, food ingredients, additives, and flavourings requiring Halal verification across the production process.

Meat & Poultry

Slaughterhouses and meat processing facilities requiring verification of Zabiha (Halal slaughter) procedures, slaughterer qualifications, and segregation controls.

Cosmetics & Personal Care

Cosmetics, personal care, and hygiene products — creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos — where ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes must be verified as Halal.

Pharmaceuticals & Supplements

Medicines, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and health products — especially gelatine capsules and excipients — requiring Halal status verification.

Logistics & Cold Chain

Storage, transport, and distribution facilities handling Halal products where segregation from non-Halal goods must be demonstrated.

Key requirements

Sources of food

All ingredients must be sourced from Halal-permitted animals, plants, or minerals. Prohibited sources include pigs and their derivatives, blood, carrion, animals not slaughtered per Islamic rites, and intoxicants.

Slaughtering rules

Animals for consumption must be slaughtered by a Muslim, while invoking the name of Allah (Tasmiyah), using a sharp blade ensuring rapid severance of the jugular vein and carotid artery. Stunning is subject to strict conditions.

Processing & production

Equipment, utensils, and production lines must be free from Najis (impure substances). Separate production lines or validated cleaning procedures required where non-Halal products are also produced.

Segregation & traceability

Halal products must be segregated from non-Halal throughout storage, transport, and handling. Full traceability from raw material to finished product required.

Hygiene & sanitation

Facilities must comply with applicable food safety and hygiene standards, including GHP and HACCP principles.

Packaging & labelling

Packaging materials must be Halal-compliant. Labels must correctly identify the Halal status and bear the GHCO certification mark where required.

Benefits of certification

GHCO certificate recognised across 57 OIC member states and major Muslim-majority markets
Covers four Halal standards simultaneously: OIC/SMIIC 1:2019, GSO 2055-1:2015, UAE.S 2055-1:2015, BPJBH 2023
Access to 2+ billion Muslim consumers across GCC, Southeast Asia, North Africa, and beyond
Required by many importers and retailers in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Indonesia
Covers food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, supplements, and logistics operations
CAS is the only GHCO-authorised certification partner in Egypt
Annual audit maintains certificate currency and market credibility
Halal certificate number traceable and verifiable through GHCO's online register

Audit process

The Halal certification process begins with a document review of ingredient specifications, supplier declarations and production procedures against OIC/SMIIC 1:2019. A site audit is conducted by a GHCO-qualified auditor under the conformity-assessment requirements of OIC/SMIIC 2:2019. Following successful assessment and GHCO technical approval, the certificate is issued for a 12-month period, subject to annual surveillance audit.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions

Which Halal standards does the GHCO certificate cover?

The GHCO certificate issued through CAS covers four internationally recognised Halal standards simultaneously: OIC/SMIIC 1:2019 (57 OIC member states), GSO 2055-1:2015 (GCC markets), UAE.S 2055-1:2015 (UAE market), and BPJBH Decree Nr. 20 of 2023 (Indonesia). This single certificate supports market access across the widest range of Halal-regulated markets.

Is the GHCO certificate recognised in Saudi Arabia and the GCC?

Yes. The GHCO certificate covers GSO 2055-1:2015, the Gulf Standardization Organization standard, which is the reference standard for Halal food in GCC member states including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

What does a Halal audit involve?

Auditors review raw material sourcing and ingredient specifications, supplier Halal declarations, slaughter procedures and slaughterer qualifications (where applicable), production process controls and cross-contamination prevention, segregation of Halal and non-Halal areas, cleaning validation, and product labelling. The audit is conducted at your facility by a GHCO-qualified CAS auditor.

Can cosmetics and pharmaceuticals be Halal certified?

Yes. GHCO Halal certification covers cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, food supplements, and any product category where Halal status is relevant — not only food. Ingredient sourcing and manufacturing process verification apply in the same way.

How long is a GHCO Halal certificate valid?

GHCO Halal certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Annual surveillance audits are required to maintain certification. The certificate number and validity can be verified through the GHCO online register.

Does CAS issue the Halal certificate?

CAS conducts the required audit and technical assessment as the exclusive Egypt partner of GHCO. The certificate is issued under GHCO authority with the GHCO certification mark. CAS is the only authorised GHCO partner for Egypt.