Halal Certification of GEHWOL Products: Global markets demand products aligned with the cultural environment

Halal means “permitted” or “lawful.” It therefore describes all things and actions that are permissible under Islamic law. This applies not only to food but also, for example, to cosmetics. Halal cosmetics therefore comply with Islamic purity and dietary regulations. Care products must be free from prohibited (haram) substances such as animal fats, alcohol and gelatin. As is already standard practice at GEHWOL, manufacturing is required to take place under strict hygienic and ethical conditions. As an internationally operating company that takes into account the diverse cultural needs of people in Germany and around the world when selecting cosmetic products for its portfolio, Eduard Gerlach GmbH applied for Halal certification of GEHWOL products. “We have now received recognition, initially for the Indonesian market,” says Dr. Andre Klemme, Regulatory Affairs Manager at Gerlach. The challenging certification process considers the entire manufacturing chain – from the selection and assessment of raw materials and packaging through to clearly defined processes in storage, production, and quality assurance. “The decision to take this path reflects a deeply rooted understanding of values: taking responsibility and responding to regional needs. After all, wherever they are in the world, people want to do something good for their feet,” Klemme concludes.

With the gradual implementation of mandatory Halal regulations, the regulatory framework in key international markets has changed. Indonesia in particular, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, is regarded as a pioneer in this area: there, the Halal compliance of consumer goods is monitored by the state and regulated through a central authority. Under the legal requirements that have been introduced step by step since 2019, Halal certification will become mandatory for numerous product categories by 2026 at the latest. Products without the corresponding conformity may still be marketed but must be explicitly labeled as “non-halal.” This creates a clear need for action for internationally operating brands.

Compliance Throughout the Entire Manufacturing Chain

When applied to cosmetic products, “halal” encompasses far more than simply examining individual ingredients. What is decisive is the continuous compliance of the entire manufacturing chain – from the origin of raw materials and their processing through to packaging, storage, and production. The opposite of halal is haram, meaning everything that is impermissible from a religious perspective, such as certain animal-derived ingredients, blood or substances of unclear origin. Potential cross-contamination also plays a role in this context.

Against this background, GEHWOL subjected 37 individual products (including GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Repair Cream, GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Intensive Cream, and GEHWOL MED Lipidro Cream) to a comprehensive certification process. Each formulation was reviewed individually, the raw materials used were assessed according to their risk profile, and, where necessary, supported by Halal certificates or official manufacturer declarations. The complexity of the process can be illustrated by glycerin, an active ingredient used to improve the skin’s moisture-retention capacity. Glycerin can be derived from either animal or plant sources. “If glycerin were obtained from animals, it would only be permissible if the animal had been slaughtered in accordance with Halal requirements and did not originate from an animal that is considered haram (e.g., pork). If the glycerin used – as is standard for GEHWOL products – is derived from plant-based sources, experts consider it unobjectionable. Nevertheless, proof of origin must still be provided,” explains project manager Klemme. Less critical ingredients can be classified on the basis of reliable statements.

Requirements Down to the Smallest Detail

“The declarations of conformity and proofs of origin are meticulously reviewed by an officially recognized Halal certification body. The assessment extends down to the smallest detail,” explains Klemme. In addition to ingredients, the review also includes, for example, cleaning agents used for production equipment and lubricants that could theoretically come into contact with the product. The same applies to all packaging materials. Separate storage concepts, clearly defined weighing and production procedures and adapted standard operating procedures ensure that Halal and non-Halal materials remain clearly separated at all times. Regular internal audits – integrated into the existing quality management system – as well as employee training support sustainable implementation and form the basis for external inspections.

“The audit also includes an on-site inspection of the production facilities. Despite modern, quality-assured manufacturing according to pharmaceutical standards and natural or near-natural formulations, which means that many ingredients are inherently Halal-compliant, certification was still a complex and demanding process,” Klemme reflects. At Gerlach, the project required around seven months of work. In view of the company’s international and cross-cultural orientation and the associated product requirements, however, this step was of great importance. Final recognition is granted in the last stage by the Indonesian Halal authority. To ensure that Halal compliance can be maintained in the long term, annual reviews will now follow.

An Expression of Openness, Respect and Responsibility

With the granting of Halal certification, Gerlach is responding specifically to the requirements of international markets while creating transparency and confidence for users and business partners at an early stage. For the traditional company, however, this step is more than a formal market adjustment; it is also an expression of its values. “GEHWOL develops products not in isolation from the cultural and social environment, but in continuous dialogue with our partners in the respective markets and with their users,” the Regulatory Affairs Manager concludes. “Openness, respect and responsibility serve as concrete guiding principles for our entrepreneurial actions.”

Overview of Halal Products

• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Repair Cream
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Caring Creme
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Intensive Creme
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Hydrolipid-Lotion
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Refreshing Creme
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Leg Vitality Creme
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Herbal Spray
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Herbal Bad
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Soft Feet Butter
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Soft Feet Nourishing Bath
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Soft Feet Scrub
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Soft Feet Cream
• GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Soft Feet Lotion
• GEHWOL MED Lipidro Cream
• GEHWOL MED Callus Creme
• GEHWOL MED Slave for Cracked Skin
• GEHWOL MED Sensitive Cream
• GEHWOL MED Antitranspirant Lotion
• GEHWOL MED Deodorant Cream
• GEHWOL MED Protective Nail- and Skin Oil
• GEHWOL MED Nail Softener Tincture
• GEHWOL MED Fluid
• GERLASAN Hand Cream
• GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Lotion (Product for professionals)
• GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Massage Emulsion (Product for professionals)
• GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Callus Softener (Product for professionals)
• GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Med. Washing Gel Soft (Product for professionals)
• GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Med. Washing Gel Protect (Product for professionals)
• GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Repair Cleaner (Product for professionals)
• GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Repair Gel H (Product for professionals)
• GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Repair Gel M (Product for professionals)
• GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Compound (Product for professionals)

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