Halal Guide

Basic Requirements: SSM, Premises Licence, KKM Registration and Three Months of Operation

Check the three-month operation requirement, KKM food premises registration and the suitability of the premises.

Last reviewed 5 November 2026

Do not go straight to paying the application fee. Make sure the company and premises have a legal and operational foundation that can be audited. For a new SPHM (Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia, the Malaysia Halal Certificate) application, MPPHM (Domestik) 2020 (Manual Prosedur Pensijilan Halal Malaysia, the Malaysia Halal Certification Procedure Manual), as amended in 2026, sets full operation of at least three months and at least three months of documents/audit records.

Eligibility checklist

  • The business is registered with SSM or a recognised agency, and the business activity matches food production.
  • A valid licence or approval from the PBT (local authority)/relevant agency for the actual address and activity.
  • A valid KKM (Ministry of Health) Food Premises Registration Certificate; for food factories, usually category P1 through FoSIM (the KKM food safety information system).
  • The premises have been fully operating for at least three months, not just registered three months ago.
  • Real operating documents are available: purchasing, production, workers, hygiene and halal control.
  • Only halal products are made/handled and all products still being made can be declared.
  • The business name, factory address and activity are consistent across all documents.

KKM is not the same as JAKIM. KKM regulates food safety and hygiene; JAKIM/MAIN/JAIN (Majlis/Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri, the state Islamic religious councils and departments) handle halal certification. Food premises registration is required by food hygiene regulations, including for manufacturers and repacking activities. MeSTI is a route for developing a food safety system for SMEs; do not write that a MeSTI certificate is necessarily required for every halal application, but the obligation to have a food safety programme must be addressed.

Flowchart: check the status of your premises

Premises status check before a halal applicationA business that wants to apply for halal certification first checks that its SSM registration and relevant licence or approval are valid, and fixes them if not. Next it checks the food premises is registered with KKM, registering through FoSIM if not. Then it checks for full operation and records of at least 3 months, starting compliant operation and keeping evidence if not. After each fix it checks again. Once all three are met, it checks workers, ingredients and the IHCS or HAS.NoYesNoYesNoYes

Business wants to apply for halal

SSM and relevant licence or approval valid?

Fix registration and licence

Food premises registered with KKM?

Register the premises through FoSIM

Full operation and records for at least 3 months?

Start compliant operation and keep evidence

Check workers, ingredients and IHCS or HAS
Premises status check before a halal application

What if you operate from home?

Not every home kitchen is suitable for product certification through the normal route. Halal kotej (cottage halal) programmes and guidance do exist in some states, but the requirements for premises, production and PBT/KKM approval need to be confirmed at the actual location. For example, MAINJ announced the Geran Halal Kotej 2026 (Cottage Halal Grant 2026) programme for home entrepreneurs who meet the programme's conditions; the grant is not evidence that every home kitchen automatically qualifies for an SPHM.

Example: a keropok (crackers) seller is registered with SSM and has been selling through TikTok for six months, but cooks in the family kitchen. They need to confirm the premises status and the certification route first; sales figures or time in business do not solve the issue of whether the kitchen is suitable.

Your action: create a folder 01-Perniagaan-Premis with copies of the licence, KKM registration, photos of the premises, the layout plan, expiry dates and evidence of operation.

Official references and editorial notes

Note: This ManaHalal article is an educational guide, not a verification, approval letter or official JAKIM service. It was prepared based on sources reviewed on 5 November 2026. Check the latest circulars and official decisions of JAKIM/MAIN/JAIN and the KKM/PBT legislation before acting. Special requirements may apply depending on the product, state and production model.