Public evidence and status distinctions

International Halal Accreditation & Recognition

Understand which records are accreditation, recognition, standards governance, or state registration—and verify the public records where an official directory is available.

Formal desk with a framed document, open journal and magnifying glass

Know the difference

Accreditation vs. Certification vs. Recognition

Certification

What a body like Halal Watch issues to a business. It confirms that a product, ingredient or facility meets a defined halal standard.

Accreditation

What an independent authority grants to the certification body itself. It confirms the certifier is competent, impartial and operating to a recognised standard.

Recognition

A status that can be relevant to a destination or buyer. It is distinct from accreditation and does not guarantee acceptance for every product, facility or shipment.

Accreditation and governance

Our Accreditations

Accreditation · Gulf Cooperation Council#HPC 0134

GCC Accreditation Center (GAC)

The official GAC directory lists Halal Watch World LLC in the United States under accreditation number HPC 0134. Accreditation demonstrates assessed competence within the published scope; destination authorities and importers can still apply product- and market-specific requirements.

Verify in the official GAC directoryVerified August 27, 2026

Standards governance · United States

United States Dept. of Halal Standards

The United States Department of Halal Standards governs the controlled HIPS standards used in Halal Watch's standards and training ecosystem. Controlled standards publication is managed separately from halalwatch.us.

Visit halalstandards.orgStandards publication source

Separate public records

Recognitions & Registrations

Public status record

CICOT, Thailand

The Central Islamic Council of Thailand public record identifies Halal Watch World LLC as an active accredited halal certification body. The current product, facility, importer and destination requirements must still be verified for a proposed export.

View the current CICOT record

Registration

NY State Dept. of Agriculture & Markets

Halal Watch appears in the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets halal-certifier registration record. Registration is a state record, not a guarantee of acceptance by another market or buyer.

View the official New York registration record

Current records matter

Verify the Public Records

Use the official links above where a public directory is available. For recognition scope or evidence not published in an open registry, ask our team to review the current record for your destination and product.

Learn how certification decisions are protected in our impartiality policy.

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Accreditation Questions

Questions About Halal Accreditation and Recognition

Certification, accreditation, and market recognition are related but separate parts of the trust chain behind an internationally usable halal certificate.

What is the difference between halal certification and accreditation?

A certification body evaluates a business, product, and facility for halal compliance. An accreditation body evaluates the certification body’s competence, impartiality, systems, and approved scope.

What does international recognition mean?

Recognition means an authority, accreditation system, buyer, or market accepts a certification arrangement for a defined purpose. Recognition can be limited by country, product category, facility, or certificate scope.

Why does accreditation scope matter?

Accreditation is not a general badge for every service. Its scope identifies the standards, sectors, products, or activities for which the certification body has been evaluated.

How should businesses verify recognition for an export market?

Verify the current destination requirements and confirm the product category, facility, certification body, accreditation pathway, and certificate format with the relevant importer or authority before shipment.