MUIS Halal Certification in Singapore: How to Apply?

MUIS Halal Certification in Singapore - Why it is Important for Your Business

Nowadays, the demand for Halal certification in Singapore and globally are increasing every day. Many different companies are trying to expand their market and release products that can be used for Muslim consumers by applying the MUIS halal certification in Singapore, thus they are eager to get certification for their Halal products both locally and internationally. This particular situation is happening not without reasons, there are several causes that led to the companies having an interest in the Halal products. One of the many reasons, Halal food has accounted for one-fifth of the world food trade. The industry is growing at amazingly $547 billion per year, with predictions that the Halal food market will grow to more than 20% over the next decade. More than 1.8 billion consumers worldwide purchase Halal products. The Muslim population itself increasing at the rate of 1.8% per annum, and surely they need more and more these products for their necessities. Moreover, by the year 2020, it is said that Halal tourists stand to be the fastest-growing sector, giving so many opportunities for a lot of companies that halal consultancy and agency can assist to target their market toward them.

Although Muslim consumers had difficulty accessing halal food products, especially if they did not live in their own countries until a decade ago, as a consequence of the rise in production and consumption for halal food products, halal-certified products are now offered for sale in big supermarkets, such as malls and hypermarket franchises. Also, food manufacturers are trying to attract more Muslim consumers in most Muslim populated countries by increasing the range of halal food items. The international market, which entails multinationals such as Tesco, Unilever, and Nestle, is expanding its scope of certified halal food products intending to reach huge audiences in the halal food market, particularly in Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

What is Halal?

But first, what is Halal, and why it needs to be certified? The word “Halal” means “permitted/allowed”. Euromonitor stated that Islamic law dictates that Muslims must follow Halal standards when consuming goods and services. The goods not only composed of food and beverages but also products such as beauty and personal care. In terms of food products, Halal meat products have to be sourced from healthy animals which slaughtered according to Islamic ways, such as:

• The animal has to be alive and healthy
• The slaughter has to be performed by Muslim in an appropriately ritual manner, including performing in the name of Allah
• The animal’s throat must be cut by a sharp knife severing the carotid artery, jugular vein, and windpipe in a single swipe
• Blood must be drained out of the carcass

With the other food products, the products which are deemed halal are when they meet the following:

• Produced without any forbidden ingredients (dead animal prior to slaughter, alcohol, pork, etc.)
• Proven to be not harming the consumers’ health and well being
• Must be clean and hygienic
• Have supply chain integrity

Seeing all the above requirements on products, there is a necessity to differentiate which products are Halal or not, therefore a means of such products to get halal certificate in Singapore is required so that Muslim consumers can use go to the market and choose their products safely without any doubts or hesitations.

How to get Singapore Halal Certificate in Singapore?

Every country usually has its own certification body and organisation which regulates which products or services that can obtain a halal certificate in Singapore. Majlis Ugama Islam or MUIS Halal is the organization that manages the Singapore Halal food certification. According to MUIS, the certification is not compulsory in Singapore, but rather voluntary for all business. Therefore, it is the company's choice whether they want to apply for a food certificate or not on their own or through the halal consultancy. Usually, the businesses which are applying for Halal food certification are those who are targeting Muslim consumers.

What is the Halal Certification in Singapore?

The Singapore MUIS Halal Standards (SMHS) have been developed by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), in collaboration with SPRING Singapore (national standards body) and the MUIS-appointed Halal standards committee, comprising religious scholars, industry players, and government officials. Its objectives are to provide transparent religious and technical guidelines pertaining to the certification, to enhance consistency with regard to compliance with the Halal certification in Singapore terms and conditions, and to facilitate trade and other business opportunities.

As stated by MUIS, the Halal certification is “an independent testimony that a food/product is prepared, processed, stored, and handled in a manner that is suitable for Muslims.” To continuously enhance the credibility of MUIS Halal certification, MUIS implemented several initiatives, including the MUIS e-Halal System (2007), Halal Quality Management System (HalMQ; 2008), and MUIS Halal audits/inspections (2009 – 2012).

HaIMQ certification uses a process-based approach, which evaluates all the food production processes, start from the receipt of raw materials to the sale of end products. HaIMQ has several objectives, which are as follows:

• Enhance halal compliance through a more structured and systematic approach
• Increase competitive advantage of certified companies
• Increase the credibility of halal certification in Singapore
• Meet the rising expectations of Muslim consumers
• Increase international recognition of MUIS halal certification

Halal certification in Singapore doesn't come without a cost, and they are varied in accordance with the type and size of the certification needed or by using a halal certification agency. For a typical owner of a small food establishment, the cost of Halal certification (valid for a year) including training staff on Halal requirements are ranging from $670 to over $1,130. The Singapore Halal food certification makes sure that sourced ingredients, preparation methods, and kitchen are Halal.

Even though the certification seems more costly, according to MUIS it also has many benefits, such as:

• Leverage on the global halal market which worth more than $2.1 trillion
• Globally enhance competitive advantage between companies
• Provide greater assurance to Muslim consumers
• Leverage on small investment cost with potential huge growth in revenue
• Boost the company’s reputation to meet various customer’s needs.

Which Products or Services that Can be Applied for Halal Certification in Singapore?

Almost every product can be applied for a halal certificate, as long as it meets the requirements. Usually, food industries are the one who gets this certification mostly. MUIS halal itself offers 7 types of halal Certification in Singapore schemes that can be chosen per company type and needs:

1. Eating establishment scheme: issued to retail food establishments, including restaurants, school canteens, bakeries, confectionaries; and temporary stalls in bazaars, flea market, trade fairs, etc.
2. Endorsement scheme: issued to imported; exported or re-exported products.
3. Food preparation area scheme: issued to catering establishments and central kitchen facilities.
4. Poultry abattoir scheme: issued to poultry abattoirs for freshly slaughtered poultry
5. Product scheme: issued to products which are manufactured or partly manufactured in Singapore
6. Storage facility scheme: issued to stationary and mobile storage facilities, such as warehouses
7. Whole plant scheme: issued to manufacturing facilities

What is the Benefit of the Halal Certificate in Singapore?

Gaining a halal certificate would allow your business to connect to both the Singapore market and around the world to a larger public. A significant part of the entire food sector is halal food. This pace in the market is growing every year. As the world's interest in halal food rises, the value of receiving the approval for halal food rises. Moreover, the rise in the number of Muslim tourists is yet another crucial determinant.

Application, Training, and Certification Fees (cost + price list)

When you want to attain a MUIS halal certification in Singapore for your business there are certain steps you need to follow, and each step has its costs and fees. The price is based on the current date, please check with us or MUIS if there is any recent changes with the cost.

Initial Application Fee

The first step is the application fee. This is a one-time payment for the new applications. There will be no renewal for this payment each year. For the normal time period of application processing, the application fee is $170.13 including the GST. The application will be taken into consideration within the following 14 days.

But you need a fast-track application period, then there is Express Application fee. The price is around $363.80 and this time the application will be processed within the following 7 days or more.

Annual Payments for the Usage of Halal Certificate

The second step is the annual payments and each change based on your segment, the products you produce, the type of your establishment, and the type of scheme. Below you can briefly find the prices and details of each certification cost.

The costs stated includes GST %7.*

Halal Certification Training, Procedure and MUIS Training Fees

If your business aim at receiving MUIS Halal certification, two employees should receive one of the training courses provided in the Halal Foundation Program which are Training for Operational Level Learners (Online and Blended Learning possible) and Training for Supervisory Level Learners (Online). Each employee should only attend one course.

Halal Foundation (Operational Level) - to Fulfill MUIS Requirements

It is an obligatory course for the acquisition of Halal Certification in Singapore. It focuses on acquiring the required awareness of basic Halal principles to students. Attendees would be able to use the skills learned in everyday business activities at the end of the training.

Course Fee: $390 (before GST)

Halal Foundation (Blended Learning) – (for Operational level), to Fulfill MUIS Requirements

This the more diversified format of the basic mandatory operational level training. It includes 5-hours mobile training and a 1-day Zoom session.

Course Fee: $310 (before GST)

Training for Supervisory Level Learners (Online) - Recommended Course to Take and to fulfill MUIS Requirements

This is the next level of training to be provided for the employees in the roles of management and supervision in general.

Course Fee: $200 (before GST)

Level 2: Developing & Implementing HalMQ - Not Required, for Learning Purpose

If you decided to improve your employee’s abilities and knowledge, this program is highly recommended for Halal Production Supervisor, Team Leaders, and Managers. But for this, you need to complete one of the courses on the first level mentioned above.

Course Fee: $500 (before GST)

Agency / Consultancy Firm Fee During the Application Process

Since there so many steps and regulation details to follow, MUIS Halal Certification in Singapore applications are processed through the mediation of agency firms. The companies like us, we provide full-assistance and answer your questions and deal with the paperwork and follow-up steps on behalf of you.
This agency fee can cost between $1200 to $3000 depending on the scope of your work and facility per each year.
Please consult us to prepare you a business plan based on your product range and premise features, then we will provide you the most proper offer and describe the necessary steps to follow.

Attention: Critical Requirements to Fulfill Before Submitting the Halal Application

The below-mentioned statements are crucial before you apply for the MUIS Halal Certificate in Singapore and pay your fees.

1. If your business is new, you need to have proven experience while running the company for at least 3 months before applying to MUIS Halal Certification.
2. You need to have two Muslim employees and these two Muslim individuals must be under your payroll re