Halal Certification
Islamic Information, Documentation and Certification GmbH –
The independent and internationally accredited inspection
and certification center for halal foods and services.
The Islamic Information Documentation and Certification GmbH (IIDC) is an independent and internationally accredited inspection and certification center for halal foods and services. Our certifications are offered throughout Europe and extend to all commodities and services for which halal safety is a must for Muslims.
All of our qualified and dedicated staff members see offering top-quality halal commodities and services through our halal certification as an opportunity to provide a global service to Muslim consumers. With halal certification, we provide the economy with the opportunity to develop new markets around the world. Since problems or uncertainties regarding halal products are always cropping up in Europe, both in production and in consumption, the IIDC decided, after conducting in-depth research and studies, to create transparency in this area for the economy and for Muslims.
Founder, President, and CEO of IIDC/IIDZ
Halal certification is now a must in many areas. From the very beginning, we too clearly realized that mere knowledge of the canon in the Koran was no longer sufficient in the complex world of the food and services industry. Hence the first step was to create our own standard (ONR 142000), in which halal could be considered basically from the standpoint of religion, but also in light of the requirements of the industry.
Over time the standards and norms of the respective importing countries were adopted and just before our "12th birthday", we received one of the most highly respected accreditations (UAE.S.2055/GSO 2055/OIC/SMIIC) for our outstanding work.
Behind the letters and numbers, the registration is in the seven Emirates in UAE, in the seven GCC countries, and in the fifty-seven (57) OIC member countries. But our accreditations and recognitions go far beyond that, it is worldwide, our cooperation partners are found on every continent of the world, we speak their languages and the desire for perfection unites us.
With our Halal certification we enable the worldwide export of European goods to Islamic countries and countries with an Islamic population. We are proud of our many satisfied customers, our qualified employees, our four branches in Austria, Hungary, Germany and France and our most sincere aspiration is to serve business and Muslims around the world.
Thanks to these accreditations, including that of the prestigious UAE accreditation center as well as the official approval in Thailand and Malaysia, our customers can export to nearly anywhere in the world with no trouble.
The term "halal" comes from Arabic and essentially means "permissible, clean". Considerable importance is attached to this term in the Islamic faith. According to Islamic law, any acts that are permissible and in keeping with Islamic canon are deemed "halal". All impermissible acts are grouped under the term "haram".
Islamic jurisprudence subdivides acts into exactly five categories:
These provisions are governed in the Koran and in the Sunna and faithful Muslims comply with them. Obviously, there are also provisions with respect to food.
What foods are considered halal (permissible)?
All foods that are permissible according to Islamic law may be designated as "halal". Examples include various kinds of poultry such as chicken, duck, goose, etc. Their eggs are also always permissible.
What foods are considered haram (forbidden)?
Many people know that consuming pork is forbidden in Islam. However, what many do not know is that other foods should be avoided as well. For example, it is forbidden to eat the flesh of animals that have died or that have been killed by other animals. It is also forbidden to eat animals that have been slaughtered in the name of another deity. The consumption of blood or processed blood is also forbidden.
What is “halal” slaughtering?
According to Islamic law, all land-dwelling animals have to be slaughtered according to a specific ritual so that their flesh remains halal. A Muslim must recite the Bismillah, an Islam prayer (in the name of God), as he kills the animal with a quick cut. All national animal protection ordinances and stipulations pertaining to slaughter are strictly observed.
What beverages are considered haram (forbidden)?
The consumption of alcohol is forbidden in Islam. An exception is alcohol that is used solely for medicinal purposes and when there is no equivalent non-alcoholic medication available. It can generally be assumed that dealcoholized beverages are “halal”. The alcohol ban does not apply to extractions, disinfection, etc.
What foods are considered halal (permissible)?
All foods that are permissible according to Islamic law may be designated as "halal". Examples include various kinds of poultry such as chicken, duck, goose, etc. Their eggs are also always permissible.
What foods are considered haram (forbidden)?
Many people know that consuming pork is forbidden in Islam. However, what many do not know is that other foods should be avoided as well. For example, it is forbidden to eat the flesh of animals that have died or that have been killed by other animals. It is also forbidden to eat animals that have been slaughtered in the name of another deity. The consumption of blood or processed blood is also forbidden.
What is “halal” slaughtering?
According to Islamic law, all land-dwelling animals have to be slaughtered according to a specific ritual so that their flesh remains halal. A Muslim must recite the Bismillah, an Islam prayer (in the name of God), as he kills the animal with a quick cut. All national animal protection ordinances and stipulations pertaining to slaughter are strictly observed.
What beverages are considered haram (forbidden)?
The consumption of alcohol is forbidden in Islam. An exception is alcohol that is used solely for medicinal purposes and when there is no equivalent non-alcoholic medication available. It can generally be assumed that dealcoholized beverages are “halal”. The alcohol ban does not apply to extractions, disinfection, etc.
Of the 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, ca. 700,000 live in Austria, 5 million in Germany, and ca. 45 million in Europe. For industry (food, beverages, cosmetics, clothing, etc.) and its suppliers as well as for food marketers (restaurants, plant, school, and kindergarten cafeterias, catering companies, hotels, airlines, banks, etc.), this gives rise not only to the need but also to the business opportunity to market commodities and services that both conform to the religious laws of Muslims worldwide and fulfill the country-specific legal requirements.
IIDC certified halal foods are sampled and then tested in an independent, accredited laboratory using ultra-modern PCR-DNA analyses.
The highest level of quality is achieved through networking and pooling the various skills in the plant inspection and certification process.
Competent IIDC staff members establish the halal criteria and confirm halal quality. The know-how of industrial production and quality management experts was used for establishing halal standards.
During the examinations, the auditors use halal checklists to evaluate the relevant business premises and the products according to the requirements of each target market. If the outcomes of these examinations are positive, the operation receives the IIDC certificate and is entitled to label its products with the appropriate IIDC logo.
In addition, compliance with the requirements is ensured by an in-house IIDC self-inspection by trained staff, who continuously document this quality control on-site in the operation.
Additional in-house IIDC staff trainings also support the halal conformity of the manufacturing sites.
Procedure
Do you have questions about halal certification or about our services?
Contact us and we will gladly help you!
Email: office [at] iidc.at
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