Halal Research Council

What Halal Research Council does

Halal Research Council (HRC), founded in 2010 and headquartered in Lahore, Pakistan, is a private for-profit organization that issues Halal certifications to food, nutrition, and non-food FMCG producers worldwide. Its core service examines ingredient sourcing, full supply chain provenance, and chemical composition under the supervision of a recognized Shariah Supervisory Board supported by Food Technologists, Chemical Engineers, and R&D professionals. The stated methodology is research-based rather than technology-automated, positioning HRC as a credential-driven certification body rather than a software platform.

Beyond certification, HRC operates a portfolio of adjacent services: an Executive Diploma on Halal Industry delivered via distance learning in partnership with AlHuda-CIBE (with a stated 10,000+ alumni base), Advisory and Consultancy engagements for businesses implementing halal compliance, R&D services on halal industry standards and supply chain verification, and professional Training programs including a 2025 international conference. Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed; pricing is opaque and the company does not report financials, funding, or headcount figures.

Go-to-market is executed through a combination of direct inbound certification applications via the corporate website (halalrc.org), organic social channels, distance learning enrollment, and a dense strategic partner network spanning 20+ countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Flagship commercial alliances include a mutual-recognition MoU with Malaysian Halal Authority and Penang State Minister for cross-border product acceptance, a strategic MoU with FIEDMC for the M3 Halal Industrial Park, and bilateral MoUs with Halal Council of Mauritius, KPK Agriculture University, and State Bank of Pakistan, among others. Ownership is independent with no identified parent or institutional investor; CEO Zubair Mughal leads the organization.

Name

Halal Research Council

Legal name

Halal Research Council

Website

https://halalrc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Halal Research Council is a Pakistan-based, globally operating organization that provides research-based Halal certification for food and FMCG producers, plus advisory, R&D, training, and a distance learning diploma program in partnership with AlHuda-CIBE.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Halal Certification Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

akta.pro primary industry

Halal Certification Services (AFALAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Export & Private-Label Certified Production (Halal/Kosher) (AFANAIAO)

Keywords

• Halal certification services
• Shariah compliance advisory
• Halal industry training
• Ingredient analysis research
• Halal standards consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

Lahore

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Halal Research Council is a research-based organization providing halal certification, advisory and consultancy services, R&D on the halal industry, and training for food and nutrition agencies, pharmaceutical, leather, cosmetics, and FMCG sectors. Its certification methodology examines ingredients/sources, supply chains, applies chemical examination, and assesses Shariah prospects under the oversight of a Shariah Supervisory Board of international scholars. The organization also delivers an Executive Diploma on the Halal Industry through a distance learning program.

Product overview

Halal Research Council operates as a certification and advisory organization providing Halal certification services for food, nutrition, and FMCG sectors. The organization offers Halal Certification as its core product, supplemented by an Executive Diploma on Halal Industry distance learning program, Advisory and Consultancy services, R&D on Halal Industry, and Training programs. The portfolio is designed to serve both Muslim and non-Muslim stakeholders seeking Halal compliance through research-based methodology, Shariah supervision, and professional expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Halal Certification Research-based halal certification of products and supply chains for food, nutrition, pharmaceutical, leather, cosmetics, and FMCG clients, combining ingredient/source review, supply chain examination, chemical testing, and Shariah compliance assessment.
• Advisory and Consultancy Advisory and consultancy services on halal compliance for food, nutrition, pharmaceutical, leather, cosmetics, and FMCG sector clients.
• R&D on Halal Industry Research and development services on the halal industry for sector clients, drawing on the Council's in-house technical and Shariah expertise.
• Training on Halal Industry Training services on halal industry topics for professionals and organizations in food, nutrition, pharmaceutical, leather, cosmetics, and FMCG sectors.
• Executive Diploma on Halal Industry (Distance Learning Program) A distance learning Executive Diploma program on the halal industry, delivered from Lahore, Pakistan, designed to build professional capacity in the halal industry for individual learners.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• KPK Agriculture University (Pakistan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2013MoU signing ceremony for cooperation in Halal industry research and development in Pakistan.
• State Bank of PakistancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013SBI signed MoU with Malaysian Halal Authority for halal industry development.
• MalaysiaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU for Halal Industry Development; HRC Certified products recognized in Malaysian Market; State Minister Penang Malaysia & CEO HRC signed MoU for mutual recognition.
• Halal Council of MauritiuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signing ceremony between Halal Research Council Pakistan and Halal Council of Mauritius with High Commission of Pakistan present.
• FIEDMC (Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Partner MoU with Khawaja Asim Khursheed, Chairman FIEDMC for M3 Halal Industrial Park development.
• Halal Animal Welfare AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from United Kingdom
• AxilataminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Sri Lanka
• ZadtechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Canada
• Halal Accreditation Council (HAC) Sri LankaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Sri Lanka
• M-HaditecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Philippines
• Instituto Halal SpainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Spain
• University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Pakistan
• KBHC KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Kenya
• Abdul Wali Khan University Pakistan (AUP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Pakistan
• IIDC AustriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Austria
• GreenBles NigeriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Nigeria
• Nippon Asia Halal Organization JapanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Japan
• HalalCI West AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from West Africa
• EU Halal PortugalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Portugal
• Halal Certification IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Ireland
• Tenol AlphaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner
• Halal ArgentinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Argentina
• Rwanda Halal CertificationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Rwanda
• YPARD MaliminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Mali
• Aray Wedding Planner ThailandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Thailand
• Haen Mar MalaysiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Malaysia
• EA Brand Quality Awards UgandaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from Uganda
• Verdant WaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner
• AlHuda-CIBEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization partner for distance learning programs with combined alumni of over 10,000 professionals

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Halal Monitoring Authority (HMA Canada): Canadian halal certification body providing ingredient and supply-chain examination for food and non-food products. Comparable in scope of certification activities and overlaps geographically with HRC's partner Zadtech.
• GIMDES (Turkey): Turkish halal certifier covering food and consumer goods with widely recognized JAS-equivalent accreditation. Comparable in target market (food + non-food FMCG) and methodology scope to HRC.
• Islamic Services of America (ISA): North American halal certifier competing for the same multinational food and non-food FMCG client contracts that HRC targets through its global partner network. Directly comparable in methodology and customer segments.
• IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America): US-based halal certification body serving multinational FMCG clients with similar ingredient, supply-chain, and chemical-examination methodology. Closely comparable in service offering, certification logic, and target client base.
• Instituto Halal Spain: Spanish halal certifier listed as an HRC strategic partner. Directly comparable in product (halal certification for food and FMCG) and explicitly tied to HRC's partner network.
• Nippon Asia Halal Organization (Japan): Japan-based halal certification body listed as a strategic partner of HRC. Direct peer in halal certification methodology and non-food FMCG coverage, sharing HRC's expansion thesis into Asian markets.

Others

• AlHuda-CIBE: Parent-affiliated partner operating the Executive Diploma distance learning program that HRC co-delivers, with combined alumni of 10,000+. While not a direct competitor, AlHuda-CIBE is the ecosystem enabler that distributes HRC's training content and validates its methodology.

Broad incumbents

• JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia): Malaysia's federal halal authority, regarded as the global gold standard for halal certification. HRC's mutual-recognition MoU with Malaysian Halal Authority directly ties it to this counterpart, and JAKIM sets the methodological benchmark HRC's certification must align with.
• BPJPH / LPPOM MUI: Indonesia's halal certifying body, now under government mandate to certify all products sold in Indonesia. Comparable to HRC as a halal certifier covering food and non-food FMCG, with significant global recognition across Southeast Asia.

Regional players

• HalalCI West Africa: West African halal certifier listed as an HRC strategic partner. Functionally a peer in halal certification services with geographic specialization in West Africa that complements HRC's global coverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/officialhalalrc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/alhudacibe
• Facebookfacebook.com/halalrc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/halal-research-council-hrc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Halal Research Council