Industries
Halal cosmetics and personal care certification
Cosmetics are applied to the body, so many Muslim consumers and importing countries look for halal certification. TGHA checks what is in the formula, what it is made on and what is used to clean the line.
What we assess
- Pig-derived ingredients, which are excluded
- Animal-derived ingredients, such as tallow, lanolin, keratin and glycerin, which must come from permitted animals slaughtered according to Islamic law
- Human-derived material, such as placenta and stem cells, which is not permitted
- The source and type of alcohol, as a solvent or a base
- Colours, fragrances and enzymes, which must be of verified halal, plant, microbial or synthetic origin
- Process inputs: raw materials, additives, processing aids, packaging, lubricants, sanitisers and cleaning media
- Cross-contamination controls: dedicated lines or validated cleaning, segregated storage, and line-clearance records
Where authorities differ
- Alcohol. Scholars hold different views on whether ethanol is impure in itself. Some bodies allow synthetic alcohol in cosmetics and perfumes. Others advise avoiding alcohol where possible. Some certifiers do not accept alcohol from liquor sources.
- Carmine (E120). Indonesia's MUI allows cochineal-derived colour in food and drink as long as it is not harmful. A scholarly body in East Java ruled carmine unclean. Both positions are held as legitimate scholarly disagreement.
- Placenta and collagen. Jordan's General Iftaa' Department prohibits human placenta in cosmetics, with an exception only for medical necessity where there is no substitute. Malaysia's Federal Territories Mufti holds that hydrolysing pig placenta does not make it permissible. Fish collagen is generally treated as acceptable, and animal collagen depends on the source and slaughter.
Tell us your target market and we will confirm the position that applies.
Common issues
Undeclared pig-derived or unknown-origin stearic acid, glycerin, collagen, keratin or tallow derivatives; carmine in lip and eye products; fragrance blends with ethanol solvents; shared lines and shared cleaning agents; placenta and stem-cell ingredients.
Documents we usually ask for
Your product list with full ingredient disclosure, process flow charts, facility layout and cleaning procedures, certificates of analysis, supplier halal certificates or declarations, label drafts, and cleaning, line-clearance and waste records.
Frequently asked questions
Is alcohol in cosmetics haram?
Views differ. Some scholars treat ethanol as impure, and others do not. Some bodies allow synthetic alcohol in cosmetics and perfumes. Others advise avoiding it where possible. Certification bodies set their own rules.
Is carmine (E120) halal?
Opinion is divided. Indonesia's MUI allows cochineal-derived colour in food and drink. A scholarly body in East Java ruled it unclean. Check the rule in your destination market.
Can cosmetics with placenta or animal collagen be certified?
Human placenta is prohibited by some religious bodies, with an exception for medical necessity only. Pig-derived placenta is not made permissible by hydrolysis, according to Malaysia's Federal Territories Mufti. Fish collagen is generally treated as acceptable. Animal collagen depends on the source.
Ready to certify with confidence?
Tell us your product, site, and target market — we'll come back with a costed proposal and an indicative timeline.