This is the commonest trap when looking for a producer, and it comes down to one distinction that is invisible at first glance.
Two different things in JAKIM's records
JAKIM's Halal Directory gives each company one or more categories. Two matter here:
- KO — cosmetics and personal care. This company has halal-certified cosmetic products. That is all it means.
- OEM — contract manufacturing. This company is permitted to manufacture for other people's brands.
A cosmetics brand holds KO. A factory that can make your product holds KO and OEM.
Here is the split:
| What the record says | Companies |
|---|---|
| Hold the cosmetics category (KO) | 446 |
| …and also contract manufacturing (OEM) — these can make for you | 76 |
| Brands only — not contract manufacturers | 370 |
What that means in practice
If you approach a company holding only KO, you are approaching a competitor, not a supplier. They sell their own brand. Some will take contract work informally; most will not.
It also explains why “halal cosmetic factory” lists on the internet tend to be long and useless — they list everyone holding KO.
How to check in a minute
Look the company up in our directory and read the category column, or use the “Makes for other brands” filter, which narrows to holders of the OEM category. The official record is in JAKIM's Halal Directory if you want to confirm it yourself.
The smaller pool is actually good news
A small pool means you can realistically approach all of them before deciding. That is impossible in a food category with hundreds of options.
It also means limited capacity, and the plant with the most clients may not be the right one for a small first order.
Where these figures come from
Counts on this page are taken from JAKIM's own Halal Directory, captured on 8 August 2026, and regenerate whenever a fresh capture is loaded. Certification status changes; check any specific company against JAKIM's records before relying on it.