How to read certification details

01 Japan has no national certification system

Japan has no single halal certification system set by the government. Certification is issued by independent private organizations, and each one has its own standards, fees and validity periods.

We break down the costs in How Much Does Halal Certification Cost? A Breakdown, and Ways to Serve Muslim Customers Without It.

02 Which body issued the certification

First, look at the name of the certification body. If you are from Malaysia or Indonesia, it can also help to know whether your country’s authority recognizes that body. We explain how to check in Is Japanese Halal Certification Recognized in Malaysia and Indonesia? Checking Those Countries’ Official Lists.

03 Scope

Certification may cover only some dishes or products, not the whole place. Check the scope to see what the certification covers.

04 Expiry date

Certification has an expiry date, and it ends if it is not renewed. Look at the expiry date together with the date the information was last confirmed, shown on the place’s page. If the expiry date has passed, the certification needs to be checked again.

If a place’s page does not show an expiry date, check the linked page of the certification body, or ask the place before you visit.

05 Certification with “Muslim-friendly” in its name

Some organizations issue certification with “Muslim-friendly” in its name, but what it means differs from one organization to another. Under some, all dishes are halal. Under others, the same place may also serve dishes that are not halal. We compare them in What Does “Muslim-Friendly” Mean? How It Differs from Halal Certification, and Standards That Vary by Who Uses the Label.

06 Places without certification

Not having certification does not mean that a place does not cater to halal needs. For places without certification too, we list how they handle pork and alcohol, item by item. Look at what each item says, rather than only at whether the place is certified.