Tatarstan became the first certification body in Russian history to officially receive the status of “halal certification body”

The committee successfully passed the inspection by the Federal Accreditation Service and received the corresponding status under the new accreditation criteria for halal certification bodies. The decision was made based on the requirements of the GOST R 70402-2024 standard.

GOST R 70402-2024 is a Russian national standard that establishes requirements for halal certification bodies. This GOST was developed at the Russian Islamic University in Kazan, taking into account international halal certification standards—the Standardization Organization of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GSO) and the Standardization and Metrology Institute of Islamic States (SMIIC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as the basic international standard ISO/IEC 17065. It contains over 100 requirements with additional criteria for halal certification.

The Halal Standards Committee under the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan has been accredited according to GOST R 70402-2024. Today, the Committee is the only halal certification body that successfully complies with all these state standards.

In September 2025, an order of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia came into force, introducing changes to the accreditation criteria. The document introduces requirements for a new type of accredited entity—a halal certification body. The order defines the accreditation criteria for such bodies and clarifies the requirements for inspection bodies and organizations certifying food safety management systems. The Halal Standards Committee of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan was the first and, so far, the only one to receive the new status based on these criteria.

This is no coincidence, as the Halal Standards Committee of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan has been operating since 1999, and during this time has accumulated significant practical experience and extensive knowledge in accreditation matters. Over the years, the Committee’s team has carefully studied the requirements and norms of various standards, pursued international accreditation, and consistently improved its quality management system. Particular attention is paid to developing the professional competencies of its employees: specialists regularly undergo internships, participate in exchanges with international colleagues, and improve their skills quarterly.

The Committee’s achievements include international accreditation according to SMIIC standards, official accreditation by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), and accreditation by the Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) in Dubai. Accreditation by the BPJPH Agency of Indonesia and audits of government agencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are also underway. Today, the Committee has received further recognition of its competence—FSA accreditation.

Obtaining accreditation from the Federal Accreditation Service was not easy. The Committee was audited for compliance with the requirements of GOST R 70402-2024, including the presence of a quality management system, halal audit procedures, impartiality control mechanisms, and personnel competence. The FSA reviewed all necessary documents: the certification body’s regulations, halal certification procedures, and management system documents. An internal analysis was conducted to determine the presence of halal auditors, technical experts, and Sharia experts within the organization.

Obtaining this status was made possible by the meticulous and coordinated work of the team of the Halal Standards Committee of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan. This success is the result of the daily efforts of specialists, where each employee is an essential element of the overall quality management system. Today, the Committee has all the necessary tools and competencies to effectively organize its work and ensure a high level of control over the certified organizations. The activities of the Halal Standards Committee of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan fully comply with the requirements of Russian and international halal certification standards.

What advantages do organizations with a certificate from the Halal Standards Committee of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan enjoy? Companies receive a document from an accredited body that operates according to international conformity assessment principles, is under state control, and complies with GOST requirements.

This certification is considered reliable and verified, simplifying entry into the Russian market and opening the door to expansion into countries with mandatory halal requirements. The certification itself improves the quality of production processes and increases consumer confidence.

Press Service of the Halal Standards Committee of the Muslim Spiritual Directorate of the Republic of Tatarstan

Photo generated by AI