Over the past two years, plant-based food consumption has grown by 49% across the EU, reaching a total sales volume of €3.6 billion.
UAE: Dubai Halal Certification Agency
2025-05-15
At a time when work is progressing rapidly within the halal food industry, HalalFocus has asked Raqam Consulting to provide us with an overview of the current halal certification and accreditation organisations in Dubai, to help illuminate the key players in the industry.
IHAF is an organization responsible for coordinating the various Halal accreditation bodies, certification bodies and the IHAF Halal Standards Development Authority.
IHAF does not supervise any certification bodies nor endorse any halal certification bodies
ESMA has approved approximately six certification bodies to accredit halal certification bodies according to the UAE.S2055 or GSO UAE.S2055 standards. The Gulf Certification Council (GAC) and the Dubai Certification Council (DAC), whose name recently changed to the Emirates International Accreditation Council (EIAC), are two of the certification bodies actively providing accreditation to halal certification bodies. To date, GAC has accredited nine certification bodies, and EIC/DAC has accredited one. All accredited certification bodies must be registered with ESMA.
In the UAE, there are two certification bodies that are providing halal certification, one of which is Gulf TIC. ESMA and MOEW (changed to MOCCAE) both provide halal certificates, while Dubai Municipality - Public Health Services Department provides halal certification for red meat slaughtering.
According to our information, all certifications obtained up to March 31, 2017, are in accordance with UAE Standard 2055 or GSO UAE.S 2055. From April 1, 2017, only products that have been certified by a recognized certification body (products that require a Halal certificate) can enter the UAE.