Impartiality Policy

Impartiality Policy

The Islamic Community in Croatia, Centre for Halal Quality Certification (hereinafter: the Centre), establishes its Policy of Impartiality, Integrity and Objectivity in the provision of halal quality certification services.
The Centre operates as an independent certification body, in accordance with the requirements of the standards HRN EN ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, GSO/UAE:S 2055-2:2021 te važećeg Centre Halal Standard (HRN BAS 1049:2025).

 

1. Fundamental Principles and Obligations

The Centre applies the following principles and mechanisms to safeguard impartiality:

Management and Financial Independence

The Centre’s management signs the Statement of Impartiality (OB-58), thereby confirming its independence and its obligation to avoid any undue influence. Staff remuneration is not directly linked to the issuing, withholding or withdrawal of certificates, further preventing commercial influence on impartiality.

Conflict-of-Interest Management

The Centre continuously conducts a Risk Analysis (OB-67) and a Simple Qualitative–Quantitative Risk Analysis – Conflict of Interest (OB-80). In this way, all potential risks that could affect the impartiality of the certification process are identified, assessed and eliminated.

Staff Integrity

All employees and associates are required to sign the Statement of Impartiality and Confidentiality (OB-56). Auditors additionally confirm confidentiality before each audit using form OB-38. This ensures that staff act professionally, ethically and independently of external influences.

 

2. Organisational Mechanisms for Safeguarding Impartiality

The Centre’s decisions are made with a guarantee of impartiality:

  • Impartiality Committee (OB-61): Oversees the Centre’s operations, confirms the Decision on Appointment of the Audit Team (OB-11) and participates in key decisions on sanctions.
  • Halal Certificate Award Committee (OB-59): Makes the final, unanimous Decision on Certificate Award (OB-46), based on the objective Audit Report (OB-15). Committee members do not participate in auditing the client.

  • Shariah Board (OB-82): Ensures the Shariah impartiality of all decisions.

     

3. Procedural Control Mechanisms (RP-06)

Impartiality is actively safeguarded at all stages of the certification process:

  • Audit implementation: Auditors are required to use the standardised Checklist (OB-65) for the objective collection of evidence.
  • Halal slaughter supervision: The presence of an authorised halal supervisor and the completion of control forms (OB-22, OB-22a, OB-22b) are mandatory in slaughterhouses.
  • Independent sampling: The Centre conducts product sampling from the market (Sampling Plan, OB-17). In the event of haram findings, a super-analysis is carried out in an independent laboratory.

 

4. Sanctions, Withdrawal and Public Disclosure

  • Permanent withdrawal of certificate: The decision is made by the Management Board in agreement with the Impartiality Committee and the Meshihat of the Islamic Community in Croatia, particularly if the presence of haram is confirmed by super-analysis.
  • Public disclosure: The Centre publicly publishes data on clients, including suspended and withdrawn certificates (OB-62), thereby ensuring transparency and protecting the credibility of the Halal Quality Mark.