Certification Terms

3.1. TQHCC Sanctions

TQHCC will apply a Sanction i.e., terminate, suspend, withdraw or reduce the scope of certification if the non-conformity or non-compliance is detected under the following conditions:

• Non-compliance with the "rules of use for the certification mark and logo".
• Non-compliance with the Terms & Conditions of Certification Agreement between TQHCC and the client.
• The client does not allow surveillance or unannounced audits to be conducted at the required frequency.
• The customer's production process does not regularly or consistently meet the certification requirements.
• If corrective actions from previous audit findings or corrective actions identified during surveillance or unannounced audits are not closed out or have been falsely closed out.
• The client has voluntarily requested a suspension or reduction in scope i.e., self-declared suspension.
• Failure to meet financial obligations.

3.2. Warning

3.2.1 During the audit

• A warning shall be issued for all types of non-conformance detected (i.e. non-conformance with the requirement of TQHCC 2002:2001 which is based on HAS 23000 & 23021 (MUI), MS 1500:2009 (JAKIM), OIC SMIIC 1 2019 and GSO 2055:1-2015; General Regulations of TQHCC, or Contractual requirements).
• If a non-conformance is detected during the audit, the client/producer shall be served with a warning when the audit is finalized : During the closing meeting of the audit, the client will receive (HS-002.FORM-010. non-conformity form). On this form, the costumer should provide a root cause and the proposed corrective action for every finding. The exact time to deliver the corrective action is also should be clearly mentioned on the form.
• This non-conformity form should be sent back to the auditor via email and the auditor will provide an answer for each proposed corrective action whether it is accepted or not. If it is accepted, the client can start preparing all their evidence. If it is rejected the auditor will give a comment or remark and based on this the costumer can provide or propose the new corrective action.
• Therefore, after all evidences or corrective action have been shared to the auditor, the auditor will review and give a feedback. If the evidences are accepted their non-conformity is closed. Nevertheless, if it is rejected, the clients should provide other evidences.
• When the non-conformity case is already closed, all of the evidences and documents are going to be given to the decision committee (the certification decision committee ). They will continue the next process for the decision and certificate issuance.

3.2.2. During the decision committee meeting

During the decision committee meeting and after evaluation of the documents and the reports from the technical auditor and the IAE, the committee has the right to decide whether or not to issue certification if :

• Non-compliance or nonconformity with the international Halal standards requirements undetected during audit
• Ineffective correction and/or corrective action taken, or corrective action not implemented within a specified time period.
• Additional inspection required before certificate is issued.

3.3. Reduction of Scope of Certification

TQHCC shall reduce the scope of certification to exclude parts not meeting the Halal certification requirements when a client has persistently or seriously failed to meet the certification requirements for those parts of the scope. A client may also request a reduction in the scope of certification (such as : Product, production line, storage room, transport services…) Any such reduction shall be in line with the Halal certification requirements of the standard. Also this part excludes must not affect the Halal conformity of other products under the scope of certification through cross-contamination or other factors... and this scope amendment must be verified by additional monitoring by a technical auditor and IAE and must be confirmed by the halal certification decision committee.

3.4. Suspension

The suspension of certification is the decision of the TQHCC Halal certification decision committee. Under suspension, the client’s Halal certificate is temporarily invalid.

TQHCC shall restore the suspended certification if the issue that has resulted in the suspension has been resolved. Failure to resolve the issues that have resulted in the suspension in a time established by TQHCC (exceed six months) , shall result in withdrawal or reduction of the scope of certification.

3.4.1. Process for Suspension

• A warning letter requiring rectification of the situation will be sent by the administrative officer following the decision of the decision committee.
• The certified client may submit to the administrative officer contesting or rebutting the recommendation for suspension or withdrawal.
• If the client has rectified the situation within Thirty (30) days after the letter has been sent no further action will be taken.
• However, if there is no response to the first warning letter, a second letter will be sent by the administrative officer informing the client of immediate suspension and their right to appeal.
• After the suspension the client will be given Fifteen (15) days in which to rectify the situation. If it has been corrected and decision committee accepts actions taken then suspended certification is restored.
• If the client makes an appeal for an extension of time to make the necessary corrections, the decision committee may use discretion depending on the gravity of the situation

3.4.2. Process for suspension of certification if the client fails to schedule surveillance or recertification audit

• Once the client has past twenty-five (25) days after the due date of scheduling a surveillance audit or has cancelled a scheduled audit within that timeframe.
• The administrative officer will notify the technical director and he will take the appropriate course of action. In addition, if the client has not scheduled because of an outstanding balance the same procedure will apply.
• A meeting of the technical director and the decision committee will be organized to take the decision of suspension or not, after verification of the reason for the cancellation.

3.4.3. Process for Suspension of certification if the Client request voluntary suspension

If the client requests voluntary suspension of certification he shall submit that request in writing.

3.4.4. Restoration of certification post suspension

TQHCC shall restore the suspended halal certification if the issue that has resulted in the suspension has been resolved. Failure to resolve the issues that have resulted in the suspension in a time established shall result in withdrawal or reduction of the scope of certification.

3.5. Withdrawal of Certification

Failure to resolve the issues that have resulted in the suspension of halal certificates in the specified time established by TQHCC shall result in the withdrawal of certification. The decision committee will make the decision to withdraw certification from organizations. On receipt of the written decision from the decision committee to withdraw certification, the following shall be done:

• The administrative officer shall inform the client in writing of the decision to withdraw certification, stating reasons and the effective date of withdrawal notice that is within ten (10) working days.
• If an appeal against withdrawal is received, the Appeal Committee shall be notified.
• If the decision for withdrawal is sustained, the client shall be notified in writing of the following requirements:
  • The return of the certificate.
  • Refrain from using the certification mark in advertisements.
  • Following withdrawal, the certification shall be granted again only after the client has again successfully completed both the application process and the initial certification process, including payment of all required fees.

3.6. Termination / Cancellation

3.6.1. Process for Suspension

• TQHCC finds evidence of fraud and/or lack of trust to comply with the requirement of TQHCC 2002:2001 ,General Regulations of TQHCC and/or Contractual requirements.
• Client cannot show evidence of implementation of effective corrective action before the suspension period set by TQHCC has elapsed.

3.6.2. Termination/cancellation of the contract shall result in the total prohibition (all products, all sites) of the use of the TQHCC logo and Halal certificate, or any device or document that may be linked to TQHCC.

3.6.3. Clients that have received a termination/cancellation shall not be accepted for TQHCC certification within 12 months of the date of cancellation.