Halal Certification Bodies in United Kingdom
2 halal certification bodies in United Kingdom hold recognition from JAKIM, the halal industry's most influential authority.
Source: JAKIM's official recognition list, gazetted under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, as at 30 January 2026.
The United Kingdom runs one of the largest halal economies in Europe. A Muslim population approaching four million sustains a domestic halal food sector in which meat and poultry account for a substantial share of national consumption, and British manufacturers also export halal certified food, ingredients, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals to Muslim majority markets in Southeast Asia and the Gulf.
For Malaysia bound trade, the certificate must come from a body on JAKIM’s recognised list. The listed bodies for the UK are Halal Certification Europe (HCE) and Halal Food Authority Ltd. (HFA), both among the longest established halal certifiers in the country. Their scopes differ. HCE certifies food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, and chemicals, while HFA also covers meat and poultry slaughter alongside ingredients, additives, cleaning substances, and packaging materials, so exporters should match the body to the product category.
Domestic visibility and export recognition are separate questions. The Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC), one of the most visible halal marks in UK butchers, takeaways, and restaurants, does not appear on the current JAKIM gazetted list reflected in this directory. Its absence from the list is a registry fact, not a quality verdict. A mark built for domestic consumer assurance simply serves a different purpose from recognition by an overseas competent authority.
Compare the recognised bodies
| Body | Certifies | Est. | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCE | food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, chemicals | 1992 | HalalCE.com |
| HFA | Meat and poultry slaughter, Food and beverages, Ingredients, Additives and aromas, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, Cleaning substances, Packaging materials | 1994 | Halalfoodauthority.com |
Recognised bodies
2 entriesHow to verify a certificate issued in United Kingdom
Confirm the issuing body appears on JAKIM's current recognition list (this page reflects the gazetted list as at 30 January 2026), then check the certificate against the certifier's own register and, for the Malaysian market, the official JAKIM halal portal. Recognition can be withdrawn, so always verify at source before relying on a certificate.
Frequently asked questions
How many halal certification bodies in United Kingdom hold JAKIM recognition?
2 halal certification bodies hold JAKIM recognition in United Kingdom, per JAKIM's official gazetted recognition list dated 30 January 2026.
Why does JAKIM recognition matter for a United Kingdom halal certifier?
JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) is the halal industry's most influential authority. Recognition means the certifier's halal certificates are accepted for products entering Malaysia, and it is treated across the global halal trade as a strong third-party credibility benchmark.
Is a domestic UK halal mark enough to export to Malaysia?
Not by itself. Malaysian authorities accept halal certificates issued by bodies that hold current JAKIM recognition for the relevant product category. A mark that is widely trusted in UK shops and restaurants does not automatically carry that recognition, so exporters should confirm that their certifier appears on the current JAKIM recognised list, and for the right scope, before committing to an audit or a shipment.
How do the scopes of HFA and HCE differ?
HFA covers meat and poultry slaughter as well as food and beverages, ingredients, additives and aromas, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, cleaning substances, and packaging materials. HCE certifies food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, and chemicals. Producers with slaughter operations should note the difference, and in every case confirm the current recognised scope directly with the body before applying.
Do UK halal certifiers agree on stunning before slaughter?
No. Positions differ between organisations. HFA permits reversible electrical stunning on condition that the animal remains alive before the cut, and accepts mechanical poultry slaughter with a Muslim slaughterman present, while some other UK certifiers, such as the Halal Monitoring Committee, do not accept any pre-slaughter stunning. These positions reflect differing scholarly views rather than a difference in diligence, so buyers should check the stated policy of the certifier behind each product.