SINGAPORE — The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) announced major updates to its halal governance framework at the inaugural Singapore Halal International Seminar (SHIS) held on September 24-25, 2025, at Hilton Singapore Orchard. The updates, which include an enhanced recognition framework for foreign certifiers and a new digital system, aim to strengthen the integrity of halal-certified products in Singapore.

Enhanced Framework and Digital Verification
MUIS officially launched the enhanced Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (FHCB) recognition framework and a new digital system, a milestone witnessed by over 200 foreign delegates. The launch was officiated by Guest-of-Honour, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, alongside MUIS President Mr Mohamed Sa’at Abdul Rahman and Chief Executive Mr Kadir Maideen.

Effective October 1, 2025, the new measures will:
Implement an Enhanced FHCB Framework with more stringent checks to ensure imported halal products meet Singapore’s exacting standards.
Introduce New Digital Halal Certificates featuring a QR code for real-time verification, giving consumers greater confidence when they shop and dine. Halal-certified establishments can be found at halal.muis.gov.sg/halal/establishments.

Streamlining Recognition for Foreign Bodies
A key element of the update is a new online portal (https://fhcb.muis.gov.sg) designed to streamline the process for foreign halal certifiers seeking recognition in Singapore.

The existing Foreign Halal Certification Bodies Recognition Scheme, established in 2011, ensures that foreign bodies exporting halal products to Singapore meet MUIS’s standards. Currently, foreign bodies submit their paperwork via email, a process that can take several months.

The new online portal, also operational from October 1, is expected to significantly cut down the application time. MUIS currently recognises 101 foreign halal certification bodies, and this list will be available on the portal for local businesses importing food.

Commitment to Halal Integrity and Food Security
Acting Minister Faishal Ibrahim highlighted the importance of the updates during his speech at the seminar. “I am glad that Singapore’s halal food certification standards have been a symbol of trust over decades, and hopefully in the wider region,” said Associate Professor Faishal. “They embody Singapore’s unwavering commitment to meet strict quality standards to serve both our diverse local community and global food industries.”
He also stressed the necessity of a reliable halal food supply for Singapore’s Muslim community, which constitutes about 15 per cent of the population, given the nation’s limited resources. “This reality makes halal certification critical to our food security,” he asserted, adding that the enhanced framework would boost local consumers’ confidence in the integrity of imported halal-certified products.
Consumers can report any suspected fraudulent activity via email at info@muis.gov.sg.