Accredited certification bodies expand into cosmetics and pharmaceuticals

Demand for Halal certification in Nigeria has historically concentrated in food and livestock. That is changing. Accredited certification bodies are now extending their scopes into cosmetics, personal care and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Where the growth is

Cosmetics and personal care represent the fastest-moving category, driven largely by Nigeria's shea processing base. Pharmaceutical certification is a smaller but more technically demanding segment, where excipient sourcing — particularly gelatin and alcohol-based solvents — determines compliance.

• Gelatin capsules — Type A gelatin is porcine-derived and not permissible; Type B bovine or fish-derived gelatin may be certified subject to slaughter verification
• Solvents and flavourings — alcohol carriers are not permitted under most applicable standards, including in trace quantities
• Glycerine and emulsifiers — animal-derived inputs require documented provenance

Scope extension in practice

A certification body cannot certify outside its accredited scope. Extending scope requires a fresh technical assessment covering the additional product categories, including auditor competence in the relevant manufacturing processes and access to laboratory capacity able to test for the relevant markers.

Businesses should confirm that a prospective certification body's accredited scope actually covers their product category before engaging. The scope of every active body is published in the platform directory.