1. I Do not know how to use the MYeHALAL system.
Jakim introduced the E-Halal system to apply for a Halal certificate online. If the applicant is uncertain what information to enter or where to click, their application has a meagre chance of being approved.
Some of the applicants preferred to hire a Halal Consultant rather than solve independently; others appointed Quality Executives to manage halal documents. Still, others just handed them over to the Admin Executive.
SME entrepreneurs with ‘ENTERPRISE’ status are advised to attend the E-Halal system seminar organized by JAKIM to understand better how to use the system.
2. Unorganized document management
Most SMEs fail to obtain the Halal certificate application simply due to unorganized supporting documents. A valid Halal certificate copy of an ingredient is essential when submitting to JAKIM. Some of them failed to notice the expiry date of the Halal certificate and submit the expired Halal certificates, which can result in an unsuccessful application.
Applicants are encouraged to use the Halal Verified Engine (HVE) to find alternative halal suppliers and download valid and genuine halal certificates for the ingredients.
3. Not up to date with the latest information on the Halal application
JAKIM always keeps its web portal https://www.halal.gov.my/v4/ up to date with the most recent announcements regarding the Halal certificate application. However, the number of SMEs who use the web portal as a reference point is still minimal.
You need to read the latest information updated by JAKIM to facilitate your application to obtain halal status for your product. For manual application, please also refer to the website.
However, this portal is still underutilized by SME business owners despite its importance. Some private limited companies (Sdn Bhd) do not consider this issue because they have appointed Halal Consultants to manage everything.
4. Do not understand the Halal certification procedure
It is essential to understand the workflow of Halal certification so that your product can be released and sold in the market promptly after your Halal Certificate is approved.
Most SMEs do not understand this and some of them just wait until JAKIM contacts them even though their documents have been verified several months earlier.
Once you have submitted the required documents online and hard copy to JAKIM, be assured to contact them again after 7 days if you do not receive any feedback yet.
5. Making an application without proper planning
Most SMEs do not undergo proper research and presume that they can acquire the Halal certificate in a short time. The fact is, the process of data gathering, and auditing can take up to months, depending on the rules and regulations.
By having a clear picture of how the JAKIM process works, the applicants will ensure that all the requirements are met before the auditing process begins.