TERMS & CONDITIONS

Including particular conditions for the assessment of management systems by Halal Certification Authority Pty Ltd, hereinafter termed “HCA”, with its contracting partners, hereinafter termed “client” or “clients”.

 

  1. Scope

1.1 These conditions apply to contracts agreed between HCA and its clients, unless it is otherwise agreed in writing or so prescribed by statutory instruments.

1.2 In the following text, audits and assessments are referred to as “assessments”, Auditors, assessors and Technical Experts are referred to as “assessors” and reports on audits and assessments are referred to as “assessment reports”.

 

  1. Assessment of Halal Management System, Products and Processes

2.1 HCA assesses the processes, products and management system of its client, or parts thereof, with the goal of determining its conformity with Islamic rites and specified requirements, including the effectiveness of the system. The client receives an audit report and a HCA certificate or confirmation.

2.2 HCA is independent, neutral and objective in its assessments. Assessments are performed at the client’s place of operations. The type, extent and time schedule of the procedure are subject to separate agreement by the parties. If nonconformities with Islamic rites and the  requirements of the respective specification are identified during an assessment, the corrective actions must demonstrably be carried out by the client within the time frame specified in the reference document or by an appropriate agreed deadline, before a HCA certificate can be issued. HCA strives to minimize any disturbances of the business process while conducting the assessment on the client’s premises.

2.3 Porcine and its derivatives may not be used in the facility that produces Halal products.

2.4 Where Ovine, Bovine, Caprine, Cervine and Avian slaughtering and processing takes place:

 2.4.1 The correct number of Muslim delegates shall be maintained in accordance with HCA requirements and importing country requirements such as GSO 993, MS1500:2011

2.4.2 Slaughter and stunning procedures must be adhered to as per GSO 993, MS1500:2011

2.4.3 Stunning methods (such as electric shock and gassing) are not acceptable in the GSO 993 for poultry and therefore processed poultry used in goods cannot be accepted into the Gulf Countries.

2.4.4 Captive Bolt as a stunning method is not acceptable as Halal for any animal

2.5 All equipment, machinery, utensils, stoves, receptacles, benches and ovens used for Halal goods preparation shall be cleaned prior to use under the overall supervision of the Site Manager or their appointee.

2.6 Storage and preparation areas reserved for the preparation of Halal goods shall be segregated

2.7 Storage, preparation, heating and/or cooking of Halal goods shall be carried out under the overall supervision of the Site Manager or their appointee.

2.8 Halal and non-Halal goods shall not be prepared, mixed, cooked or heated in/on the same equipment at the same time.

2.9 All raw, frozen, dried, processed and prepared ingredients required for the preparation of Halal goods, shall be acquired from suppliers approved by HCA and kept segregated in storage from non acceptable ingredients.

2.10 Any product, ingredient or ready-made goods not approved by HCA shall not be used in the preparation of Halal goods.

2.11 The HCA requirements for specific industry types are adhered to as per importing country standards such as GSO 993, GSO 2055, MS1500

2.12 Abide by Food Safety requirements set out in importing country requirements i.e. GSO 993, GSO 2055, MS1500  and other country standards

2.13 Cosmetics, Personal Care and Pharmaceuticals under the standards of Therapeutics Goods Administration shall adhere to Importing country Food and Drug Authorities such as GSO2055

2.14 GSO 2055 standards require

2.14.1 Food additives shall use its functional name beside the international number i.e. “Colours E120”

2.14.2 GMO, rennet, whey, gelatine, oil, fats shall be declared on the label and its source.

2.14.3 Fish with scales and their by products shall be labelled as ‘scaled fish’. All other aquatic animals shall be labelled ‘non-scaled fish’.

 

  1. Certification Cycles

3.1 The Halal Certification period is 3 years subject to annual surveillance audits in Year 1 and Year 2 and recertification in year 3

3.2 Certificates shall be subject to update after each surveillance audit.

3.3 HCA has a certification period starting from 1st January 2017 to 31 December 2019 and every 3 year the certification periods shall be ongoing.

 

 

  1. Audits

4.1 Selection of Auditors

4.1.1 The number and choice of auditors is incumbent upon HCA, who will nominate the auditors  (Sharia and Technical).

4.1.2 HCA commits itself to use only auditors who are suitable for the task on the basis of their understanding of Islamic rites and technical qualifications, their experience and their personal abilities.

4.2 Audit Confirmations/ Re-scheduling/ Cancellations

4.2.1 Clients will be advised of scheduled audits via email and shall be confirmed or rescheduled by return email.

4.2.2 Should the client not respond, the audit shall be assumed as confirmed.

4.2.3 Cancelling or rescheduling the audit within fourteen (14) days of the scheduled audit will cause the cost of the audit stated in the Audit Plan as a cancellation fee

 

  1. Use of HCA Trademarks and Certificates

 

5.1 The use of the HCA trademark is governed by HCA, protected by Intellectual property laws, and requires HCA approval, subject to the following conditions:

(a) Certified clients must obtain approval by HCA for the use of the HCA trademark on packaging, vehicles, stationary, product specifications, literature, publicity material and any other material relating in whole or in part to the certified company’s scope of certification;

(b) The HCA trademark shall only be used by approved clients’ own products.

(c) HCA Halal certificates issued to the contract manufacturer cannot include Third party brand names unless the brand owner has also directly applied for Halal certification to HCA and been approved with a certificate registered in their name.

(d) HCA Trademark shall not be used on products made by a contract manufacturer for a third party unless the brand owner has applied for Halal certification and is approved by HCA with a certificate registered in their name.

(e) The HCA trademark shall not be used in any way that may be interpreted as denoting approval or conformity, if only the processes within management system of the certified company have been certified.

(f) The HCA trademark shall meet the required specifications as per the approved HCA standard.

(g) The HCA trademark shall be printed clearly on all certified Halal products and labelled on each box/package.

(h) HCA Clients are allowed to print the coloured HCA trademark suitable to its packaging as long as it does not change the original specification(s) of the trademark.

(i) The HCA trademark/certificate shall be exhibited only at the entrance of the certified establishment. Certificates shall only be displayed at the address mentioned on the certificate;

(k) The certificate holder shall not reproduce the granted Halal certificate in part and/or in a way that would hinder the legibility, nor shall tamper with the original copies or photocopies of the Halal certificate. The certificate holder shall not translate the certificate and/or test reports in other languages without the control and consent of HCA.

(l) If there is evidence of misusing HCA’s trademark, HCA reserves the right to raise corrective actions, withdraw the certificate, publicise the transgression and if necessary, take appropriate legal action.

(m) By entering into an agreement with HCA, the client agrees to follow the rules of the HCA trademark and certificate.

(n) An electronic copy of the HCA trademark shall be supplied to the client when requested.

(o) The HCA trademark shall be no less than 9mm in diameter when printed on the client’s labels and shall be printed one colour. Written permission shall be sought to approve and print the label and packaging.

(p) The HCA trademark shall only be used on products manufactured during the certification period indicated on the certificate. Should the revision date have lapsed on the Halal certificate, the product carrying the HCA trademark cannot be used;

(q) HCA Certificates and trademarks may be used for promotion. Such use is restricted to the scope and the period of validity of the certification. HCA trademark shall not be attached to a non-conforming product that does not comply with clause 6;

(r) HCA certificate and trademark shall not be transferred to successors in title, new owners or other organisations or new acquisitions.

(s) HCA certificates shall be produced without changes when given to a third party.

(t) After certification has been cancelled, suspended, withdrawn or annulled, the client shall desist from any promotion, making use of the certification and HCA trademark. The client’s right of retention is precluded and shall desist from using the HCA certificate/s following cancellation, suspension, withdrawal, or annulment. The QR code will render the electronic HCA certificate invalid.

(u) The client shall never use the HCA trademark and/ or certificate/s in such a way as to undermine the reputation of HCA;

(v) HCA trademark and certificate/s shall be used in accordance with strict provisions stipulated by HCA and never in any misleading manner;

5.2 Product exported to the UAE bearing the HCA trademark shall also bear the ESMA mark as per ESMA requirements.

5.3 Products exported to Malaysia shall bear the HCA trademark on products as per JAKIM requirements.

 

Breaches of Certification

6.1. Non-Conformities

6.1.1 HCA may only issue certificates if all Halal requirements have been fulfilled following the audit (initial/re-assessment). In case of non-fulfilment, HCA will document the shortcomings, changed conditions and/or restraints in a nonconformity report provided to the client which must be complied with in order for a certificate to be issue.

6.1.2 All nonconformities or restraints must be eliminated or complied with in the stipulated time of the Corrective Action Request Form or by the HCA Auditor.

6.1.3 If necessary, HCA will repeat the audit in full or in part. The resulting costs will be invoiced in accordance with the current price list, based on the effort required.

 

6.2. Suspension

6.2.1 HCA is entitled to suspend a certificate for a limited period of time if the client demonstrably violates Islamic rites, halal rules and contractual or financial obligations towards HCA, particularly if:

a) Corrective actions to the products and processes have not been demonstrably and effectively implemented within the agreed-upon time frame;

b) The appointments suggested by HCA for audits necessary for the maintenance of the certification have not been complied with and the usual time limit of twelve months since the previous assessment has thereby been exceeded;

c) HCA has not been informed in a timely manner about planned changes and other changes which affect conformity with the Halal specifications which form the basis for the certification;

d) A HCA certificate or a trademark has been used in a misleading manner and not in accordance with strict provisions stipulated by HCA.

 

6.2.2        In such circumstances, HCA shall first announce a possible suspension in writing. If the reasons for the suspension are not eliminated within two weeks, HCA informs the client in writing about the suspension of the certification stating the reasons as well as the corrective actions necessary for the certification to be reinstated. Certifications are suspended for a restricted period (usually a maximum of 90 days). If the required measures have been implemented  demonstrably and effectively by the established deadline, the suspension of the certification is cancelled and certification reinstated.

 

6.3. Withdrawal

6.3.1 HCA is entitled to withdraw certificates, publicise it on their website and notify relevant authorities after giving written notice of intent or declare them invalid it:

a) The suspension period of the certificate has been exceeded,

b) The conformity of processes and products with Halal specification on which it is based is not ensured;

c) The client continues to use the certification for promotion following the suspension of the certificate;

d) The client uses the certification in such a way as to undermine the reputation of the certification body;

e) The preconditions which led to issuing the certificate no longer apply or the client is not prepared to eliminate nonconformities;

f) The client effectively terminates the contractual relationship with HCA

g) Non-compliance with these Terms and Conditions of Certification including non-payment for HCA services within agreed trading terms.

 

6.4. Annulment

6.4.1 HCA is entitled to annul certificates, or retroactively declare them invalid, if:

a) It subsequently turns out that the preconditions required for issuance of the certificate had not in fact been fulfilled;

b) The client has compromised the certification procedure so that the objectivity, neutrality or independence of the assessment result is in question.

 

  1. Appeals and Complaints

7.1 Every client has the right to have services performed within the agreed scope in such a way that expectations and requirements are fulfilled. In case of non-fulfilment, HCA requests information necessary for improvements. In case of a difference of opinion with assessors or HCA itself, each client has the right to submit an appeal or a complaint against a decision.

7.2 In the first instance, complaints should be expressed verbally or in writing to the CEO of HCA. If a solution cannot be worked out between the client and the CEO, as a next level the HCA Impartiality Committee may be appealed to in writing. A failure to resolve complaint after   detailed consideration may be referred for judicial arbitration.

 

  1. Arbitration

8.1 In the event of failure to resolve a major complaint through the process outlined in the clause 7: ‘Appeals and Complaints’, an independent arbitration may be deployed. This is particularly relevant to case of serious complaints and in cases of dispute over evaluations or the issue,  suspension or withdrawal of a certificate. Prerequisite for independent arbitration is an agreement by both parties to have the matter in dispute resolved without resorting to any further legal action (arbitration agreement), along with a jointly-prepared written presentation of the situation.

 

  1. Jurisdiction and Applicable Laws

9.1 Court of jurisdiction is New South Wales and the NSW law applies in all respects.

 

  1. Diverging Agreements

10.1 Diverging or supplementary agreements have to be made in writing. Should any individual  provision or any part of any provision be or become void, illegal or unenforceable, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall in no way be affected. In such cases, the void and/or illegal and/or unenforceable provision or provisions shall be replaced by relative provisions coming as close as possible to the sense and spirit and purpose of this agreement.

 

  1. Additional Conditions

11.1 In addition to the provisions stipulated above, specific requirements of individual standards or specifications and their complementary interpretations obtain in their current versions.

11.2 Clients shall be given one calendar month’s notice of any changes to the Terms & Conditions.

 

  1. Management of Impartiality

12.1 In order to uphold confidence in and integrity of the independent Halal certification, the HCA management is committed to maintenance of impartiality throughout the certification process. We fully understand the importance of impartiality in carrying out our Halal certification activities, managing potential conflicts of interests and ensuring the objectivity of the entire process. Our certification decisions shall be based on objective evidence of conformity or otherwise obtained during audits and our decision shall not be influenced by any other interests or by other parties. HCA compliance with this requirement is overseen and reviewed by the independent Impartiality Committee conducting periodic audits of our management of impartiality.