DAHC Halal Certification Manual
Client Guideline

Introduction & About DAHC

Dar Al Halal Certification (DAHC) is an independent, accredited halal conformity assessment body established to provide credible and internationally recognised halal certification services in Nigeria and across West Africa. DAHC operates under a rigorous quality management system aligned with international halal standards, ensuring transparency, impartiality, and integrity throughout the certification process.

Halal certification by DAHC attests that a product or service complies with the principles of Islamic law (Shariah) as they relate to permissible (halal) consumption, production, and handling. A DAHC certificate provides assurance to Muslim consumers, retailers, importers, and regulatory authorities that certified products meet the highest standards of halal compliance.

This manual is intended for businesses, manufacturers, food premises operators, and service providers who wish to apply for DAHC halal certification. It outlines the application process, eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, audit procedures, and the obligations of certified companies.

Objectives of This Manual

This Client Guideline Manual has been developed to:

• Provide applicant organisations with a clear understanding of the DAHC certification process from application to certificate issuance;
• Explain the documentation and eligibility requirements that must be met before an audit can be scheduled;
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of both DAHC and the applicant organisation throughout the certification lifecycle;
• Outline the obligations of certified companies with respect to post-certification surveillance, change notifications, and proper use of the DAHC trustmark;
• Promote a smooth, transparent, and efficient certification experience that facilitates access to domestic and international halal markets.

Normative References

The DAHC halal certification programme is developed in accordance with the following standards and regulatory frameworks:

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for DAHC halal certification, an applicant organisation must satisfy the following baseline criteria:

Certification Process

The DAHC halal certification process consists of ten (10) defined stages from initial application to certificate issuance. The typical end-to-end timeline is 8–14 weeks, subject to application completeness and audit availability.

Documentation Requirements

The following documents must be submitted as part of the DAHC application. Missing documents will trigger a Deficiency Notice and delay processing.

Audit & Assessment

The DAHC halal audit is a systematic, documented, and independent examination of your operations to verify compliance with applicable halal standards. DAHC auditors are trained, independent, and bound by a Declaration of Impartiality.

Audit Duration: Typically 1 day (Small Scale) to 3 days (Large Scale) depending on the complexity and scope of operations.

What Auditors Examine:

• All incoming raw materials, ingredients, and additives — including certificates of halal compliance from suppliers
• Production and processing methods, including any shared lines with non-halal products
• Cleaning, sanitation, and cross-contamination prevention procedures
• Storage, segregation, and logistics protocols
• Personnel training records and Muslim personnel declaration
• Labelling and packaging accuracy
• All documentation reviewed during the screening stage

Audit Report: A formal audit report (QMS/AU/AR/01) is issued within 5 working days of the audit. Where Non-Conformances (NCRs) are identified, a separate NCR report is issued.

Non-Conformance Classification

Where the DAHC audit reveals areas of non-compliance, the findings are classified and documented in a Non-Conformance Report (NCR). The applicant is required to submit a Corrective Action Response (CAR) within the prescribed timeframe.

Post-Certification Obligations

Upon receiving a DAHC Halal Certificate, the certified organisation assumes the following ongoing obligations:

Certificate Validity & Renewal

DAHC Halal Certificates are valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of issue, subject to satisfactory completion of annual surveillance audits and continued compliance with DAHC requirements.

Certificate Suspension: A certificate may be suspended where the certified organisation fails a surveillance audit, fails to pay maintenance fees, or fails to notify DAHC of a material change. During suspension, the organisation must immediately cease using the DAHC trustmark.

Certificate Revocation: A certificate will be revoked where a Serious Non-Conformance is confirmed, where the organisation is found to have misrepresented its operations to DAHC, or where suspension conditions are not rectified within the notified timeframe.

Renewal: Applicants must submit a renewal application at least three (3) months before the certificate expiry date. Renewal applications are subject to the same documentary and audit requirements as initial certification.

Contact & Support

For enquiries, guidance on the application process, or support with any aspect of your certification journey, please contact the DAHC Certification Office: