The India Conformity Assessment Scheme (i-CAS) Halal is a national certification scheme developed by the Quality Council of India under which meat and meat products exported to specified countries must come from facilities certified by NABCB-accredited Halal certification bodies, so that Indian exports meet importing countries’ Halal requirements under one credible, government-monitored system.
Context
- The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) made Halal certification under i-CAS mandatory for the export of specified meat and meat products to specified countries, mostly West Asian and South-East Asian markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Iran.
- Until then, private Halal certifiers followed different standards, which created confusion and occasional rejection of consignments.
How the Scheme Works
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- Developed by: the Quality Council of India (QCI), the national quality body under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
- Accreditation: the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), a QCI board, accredits Halal Certification Bodies against the i-CAS Halal requirements.
- Certification: an accredited body audits the exporter’s slaughterhouse or processing unit and issues a Certificate of Conformity that the product, process and premises meet the Halal standard.
- Monitoring: the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry monitors the scheme and lists certified facilities for buyers.
- Enforcement: DGFT’s export policy makes the certificate a condition of export for the specified products and destinations.
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Why It Matters
- India is among the world’s largest exporters of buffalo meat; the Gulf and South-East Asia are its main markets, and Halal assurance is a market requirement there.
- A single national scheme replaces a patchwork of private certificates, improves acceptance by importing authorities and protects the brand of Indian meat exports.
- The model follows those of countries such as Malaysia (JAKIM) and the UAE (ESMA), where the state accredits certifiers.
Important Facts for Examsmost asked
- i-CAS Halal was developed by the Quality Council of India; NABCB accredits the certification bodies; APEDA monitors the scheme; DGFT notified the export requirement.
- Applies to specified meat and meat products exported to specified countries.
- Certificate of Conformity confirms that the product, process and unit meet Halal standards.
- APEDA works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; QCI and NABCB under DPIIT.
FAQs
Is i-CAS Halal compulsory for domestic sales?
No. It is a requirement for exports to the specified countries; domestic Halal labelling remains voluntary.
Who issues the Halal certificate?
A NABCB-accredited Halal Certification Body, after auditing the exporter’s unit; the government accredits and monitors but does not certify directly.
Why is i-CAS asked in NABARD and bank exams?
It links agri-exports, quality infrastructure and trade policy; the roles of QCI, NABCB, APEDA and DGFT are the usual questions.
