HALAL CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION AUDIT SCHEDULING
MULTI-SCHEME CLIENT AUDIT PLAN
Primary Scheme: USDHS HIPS 1003
Audit Type: Halal Compliance Audit (Initial / Surveillance / Recertification)
Sampling Methodology: Verification-Based (Document Review & Traceability)
This document provides generic audit guidance for halal audits conducted by Halal Watch World under
the USDHS HIPS 1003 (Halal Integrity Protection Scheme) as the primary governing framework.
This instruction document is intentionally scheme-flexible. The baseline audit methodology is derived
from USDHS HIPS 1003, while additional technical stipulations may be applied depending on:
• Accreditation requirements
• Export market regulations
• Applicable halal standards
• Client certification scope and sector
Where external standards are contractually or regulatorily required, their specific provisions will be
applied as supplementary overlays to the core USDHS HIPS 1003 audit framework.
SCHEME HIERARCHY & APPLICABILITY
Primary Governing Scheme:
• USDHS HIPS 1003 (Halal Integrity Protection Scheme)
Supplementary Standards (Applied Where Required by Scope, Market, or Accreditation):
GSO Halal Standards (GCC Region)
• OIC/SMIIC Halal Standards
• Malaysian Halal Standards (MS Series / JAKIM)
• BPJPH Halal Assurance System (Indonesia)
• MUIS Halal Certification Scheme (Singapore)
• Bahrain Accreditation (GAC – GCC Accreditation Center)
Note: Supplementary standards are only invoked when relevant to the client’s certification scope, export
jurisdiction, or accreditation pathway
SAMPLING POLICY (GENERIC – ALL SCHEMES)
Unless explicitly required by a governing scheme, regulator, or risk escalation, this audit utilizes
DOCUMENT-BASED VERIFICATION SAMPLING.
This includes:
• Ingredient traceability verification
• Supplier halal documentation review
• Certificate of Analysis (COA) and specification checks
• Label and ingredient disclosure validation
• Batch and formulation traceability
Routine physical sampling, laboratory testing, or destructive testing are NOT conducted unless mandated
by a specific standard or triggered by identified halal integrity risks
CORE AUDIT PRINCIPLES (USDHS HIPS 1003 BASELINE)
1. Sanitation
Evaluation of contamination control, cleaning validation, and prevention of najasah across facilities,
equipment, and operational environments.
2. Traceability
Verification of origin and traceability of raw materials, additives, processing aids, and finished products
throughout the supply chain.
3. Integrity
Assessment of transparency, documentation reliability, internal controls, and overall halal system
implementation.
4. Composition
Review of product formulations to ensure absence of non-halal substances, including animal derivatives,
alcohol, enzymes, emulsifiers, and processing aids.
DOCUMENTATION CLIENT SHOULD PREPARE
Ingredient specifications and formulation sheets
• Supplier halal certificates (where applicable)
• Traceability and supplier approval records
• Batch production and quality records
• Cleaning and sanitation SOPs
• Quality certifications (GMP, HACCP, ISO, etc.)
• Labeling and packaging specifications
• Alcohol/solvent declarations (if applicable)
• Previous audit reports and corrective actions
AUDIT WALKTHROUGH PROCESS (GENERIC)
Auditors will conduct a process-based walkthrough tracing product flow from:
Receiving → Storage → Processing → Packaging → Warehousing → Dispatch
During the audit, auditors may:
• Observe operational and production processes
• Assess segregation between halal and non-halal materials
• Review sanitation and cleaning controls
• Identify Halal Area Risk Management (H.A.R.M.) risks
• Verify labeling, identification, and traceability systems
CLOSING MEETING & CERTIFICATION PROCESS
At the conclusion of the audit:
• Observations and findings will be summarized
• Nonconformities (Critical, Major, Minor) will be communicated
• Risk classification will be assigned
• Auditor recommendations will be submitted to the Certification Committee
Final certification decisions are made independently in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065 and the
applicable governing scheme (USDHS HIPS 1003 and/or relevant supplementary standards).
APPENDIX A – SUPPLEMENTARY STANDARD-SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS
1. GSO (GCC Standardization Organization) – Halal Standards
When audits are conducted for GCC market recognition or GAC-aligned accreditation, GSO standards
(e.g., GSO 2055 series) may apply.
In such cases:
• Category classifications (A, B, C, D, E, F, K, etc.) are scheme-specific to GSO
• Clause-based ingredient verification and segregation controls are emphasized
• Full halal supply chain compliance (receiving to distribution) is assessed
2. OIC/SMIIC Halal Standards
Where SMIIC standards are applicable:
• Greater emphasis on halal assurance systems
• Documented halal risk management
• Enhanced traceability and supplier validation
3. Malaysian Halal Standards (MS / JAKIM)
For Malaysia-aligned certifications:
• Halal Assurance System (HAS) documentation is critical
• Internal halal committee and training requirements may apply
• Ingredient and processing aid validation is heavily scrutinized
4. BPJPH (Indonesia Halal Assurance System)
Where Indonesian regulatory compliance is required:
• HAS documentation and halal management system integration are assessed
• Mandatory ingredient traceability and supplier transparency
• National halal regulatory reporting obligations may apply
5. MUIS (Singapore Halal Scheme)
For MUIS-aligned audits:
• Strict documentation and traceability controls
• Facility segregation and labeling compliance emphasis
• Ongoing compliance monitoring expectations
6. Bahrain Accreditation / GCC Accreditation Center (GAC)
Where accreditation oversight involves Bahrain/GCC pathways:
• Alignment with recognized halal accreditation frameworks
• Scheme documentation consistency and audit defensibility
• Risk-based auditing aligned with international halal accreditation expectations