Halal certification Malaysia applications have gone fully digital, making it easier for small food businesses to start the process from a laptop. For cafés, caterers, bakeries and food manufacturers, a halal certificate from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) can open doors to more customers, supermarket shelves and export markets.
Here are six steps every SME should understand before applying for the halal certification Malaysia offers through JAKIM.
Halal Certification Malaysia Goes Digital
Since 5 May 2025, all applications for the Malaysian Halal Certification have been processed electronically, The Star reported. Successful applicants receive a digital certificate, or e-Cert, through the MYeHALAL platform and can print it themselves.
Companies that still want an official physical certificate must make a formal request and pay a fee. JAKIM director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said printed certificates “will be considered reprints and charged in accordance with Clause 13” of the Malaysian Halal Certification Procedure Manual (Domestic) 2020.
1. Get Your Business Ready First
Before you apply, make sure your operations already meet the requirements, because the audit will check what happens on the ground. For food premises such as restaurants, cafés, canteens and bakeries, Malay Mail listed requirements including:
- At least one full-time Malaysian Muslim worker per outlet throughout each shift
- A halal supervisor at the premises
- An internal halal control system
- Anti-typhoid vaccination and food handling training for every food handler
- Space and time for Muslim workers to pray
If you use a central kitchen, it must be certified first.
2. Prepare Your Documents and Menu
Gather your business registration details, supplier information and ingredient records. For food premises, the menu you display must match the one you declare in your application. Adding new items later requires a new application, so plan your menu carefully before submitting.
Chains need to apply for each outlet separately, although applications can be handled centrally.
3. Apply Through MYeHALAL
Applications are submitted online through the MYeHALAL system on JAKIM’s Halal Malaysia Portal. Create an account, choose the right certification scheme for your business, such as food premises or food and beverage products, and upload your documents.
4. Pay Promptly After the Charge Letter
Once your application is accepted for processing, a charge letter is issued through MYeHALAL. The fee must be paid within 14 working days. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, and late payment leads to rejection, which means starting a new application.
5. Prepare for the Audit
JAKIM officers will audit or inspect your premises to check that practices match your application. Any issues must be corrected before approval. JAKIM’s client charter aims to complete the process within 30 days after payment, provided all procedures and conditions are met, according to the 2024 Malay Mail report.
6. Keep Your Certificate Current
Validity depends on the scheme. Certificates for food premises and food and beverage products last two years, abattoirs one year, and categories such as logistics, OEM manufacturing, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals three years. Holders with at least five years of clean records may be offered a five-year validity.
Keep your halal supervisor, records and training up to date between renewals, as compliance continues after the certificate is issued.
Halal Certification Malaysia: Why It Is Worth the Effort
For many Malaysian consumers, the JAKIM halal logo is a quick signal of trust when choosing where to eat or what to buy. Certification can help a small business reach new customers, qualify for supply contracts with larger retailers and caterers, and build credibility in overseas markets that recognise Malaysian halal standards.
The move to a fully digital process also means less paperwork and faster access to your certificate once approved.
For the latest halal certification Malaysia requirements, schemes and application access, visit the Halal Malaysia Portal official website.
