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Halal Community Council
Check a place

HCC is getting ready to open. No place has been checked yet, and no seal has been issued. These pages describe how HCC's checks will work.

Business portal

Your check, your record, your cases.

One private place for every business that has applied to HCC or carries its seal. Follow your application, preview your record before it goes live, send documents to HCC's evidence vault, report a change, answer a case, pay a renewal invoice, redeem perks and download your seal kit.

Nothing in the portal is public. Each account sees only its own places.

Go to your portal Apply for a check

Raised a concern as a customer?

You do not need the business portal. When you are signed in, your concerns, their status and our replies are listed on the Share a concern page, and you can answer there.

Open Share a concern

How your case works

In your portal

Everything about your place, in one private screen

The member dashboard, the badge pages and the cases page of the old site are now one portal. Here is what each part does. Anyone can check your seal against your record on the Register or with Verify, by record number, name or city.

  • Application

    Where your check stands

    The level you applied for, the state of your application, and what you paid: the $150 application fee and your first-year dues, paid in full when you apply. Finish a draft, pay, or withdraw before your first visit (your dues come back; the fee is kept).

  • Record preview

    See your record first

    After a decision, you preview your record for 3 business days before it is published. If a fact is wrong, tell us before it goes live. After that, the portal links to your public record.

  • Evidence vault

    Send documents privately

    Upload supplier invoices, halal certificates from your certifier, supplier statements, labels and photos. Files are kept outside the website, and every opening through the portal is logged. We write 30 days before a certificate on file runs out.

  • Changes

    Report a change

    Tell HCC within 14 days about a new supplier, a lapsed certificate, menu changes, a change of owner, or a move or closure. A change is reviewed, and your dues already cover that review.

  • Cases

    Answer a case

    If a concern is raised and we need your input, the case appears under your place with a neutral summary, the date we need your reply, and every message. You reply here. A formal notice about your seal, and your right to appeal it, appear here too.

  • Membership

    Your year and your renewal

    Your level and the dates of your year. HCC sends a renewal invoice 30 days before your good-through date, and you pay it here. Nothing is ever charged automatically.

  • Perks

    Redeem a perk

    One tap on Redeem. Each card names the partner company that delivers it, at its own cost. HCC pays partners nothing, perks are the same at every level, and a perk never affects a check. Perks open on January 15, 2027.

  • Seal kit

    Your seal, live and in print

    Once your place is verified: the live seal for your website, which links to your record, updates itself and never shows past your good-through date; and print files for a window decal, a counter card and a menu sticker, each with a QR code to your record. Extra decals are $10 each.

    Seal Use Rules

For businesses

Your cases with Halal Community Council

The portal shows any open or past cases where your business is involved. A "case" simply means that someone has raised a concern and asked us to help look into it in a structured way.

Our goal is to protect trust, yours and the community's, by handling concerns fairly, clearly, and with a halal-conscious mindset.

Cases overview

Here is a quick view of any active or recently closed cases, under your place in the portal above. Each case shows its case number, its status, the date it opened, a neutral summary, the messages, and the next steps: what we need from you, and by when.

The status reads in plain words: Open, Waiting for your reply, Waiting for the person who raised it, Appeal pending, Closed: resolved, or Closed: no action.

No active cases

No Cases panel under your place means you currently have no open cases with HCC. If a concern is ever raised and we need your input, it will appear there with clear next steps.

The path

How the case process works for your business

The details change from case to case, but the path stays similar. This is what you can expect when we contact you about a concern.

  1. Notification

    We let you know that a concern has been raised and share a calm, neutral summary of what was reported. We never tell you who raised it unless that person agreed.

  2. Your first response

    You share your side of the story within the requested timeframe and provide any relevant documents, messages, or context. You have 10 business days from the day you receive the summary, and you may ask once for more time.

    10 business days

  3. Exploring options

    We look at both perspectives and explore possible options, from clarifying misunderstandings to offering refunds, fixes, or policy changes.

  4. Resolution proposal

    We work with you to shape a fair proposal and share it with the person who raised the concern, adjusting where needed if both sides agree.

  5. Case closed

    Once a path is agreed (or no further steps are possible), we close the case, document the outcome, and share a brief summary with you.

Both sides of the work

What we ask, and how we support you

What we ask from you

We know running a business is demanding. Our requests are simple and designed to be realistic.

  • Reply within the requested timeframe or let us know if you need more time.
  • Be honest about what happened, including any mistakes. We all make them.
  • Keep communication respectful, even if you disagree with the concern.
  • Do not retaliate against anyone for raising a concern through HCC. A business that does may face a review of its seal.
  • Ask questions if any part of the process is unclear.

How we support you

Being part of HCC means you are not left alone when something goes wrong.

  • We do not assume guilt just because a concern was filed.
  • We give you space to explain your side and share context.
  • We help shape responses that are fair and halal-conscious.
  • We look for long-term improvements, not just quick fixes.
  • We treat your reputation as part of the community trust we are protecting.

For businesses

Frequently asked questions

Does a case mean we are "in trouble" with HCC?

No. A case means a concern has been raised and we are looking into it in a structured way. Our goal is to understand what happened and encourage a fair response, not to punish you by default. A concern never changes your record by itself, and HCC never publishes a concern.

Will the customer see everything we write?

We may share summaries of your responses where needed to keep things transparent and fair. We avoid sharing internal notes that are not relevant to the people involved.

How long does a case usually take?

It depends on how complex the situation is and how quickly everyone responds. Simple cases might wrap up in a few days. More complex ones can take longer. Routine cases aim to close within 30 days. If there is a delay, we send a short update instead of going silent, at least every 10 business days.

What if we disagree with the customer's story?

That happens. Share your side clearly and calmly, with any evidence or context you have. We look at both perspectives before discussing options. You can always ask questions about how we see the situation.

Who can we contact if we have questions about a case?

Reply directly inside the case, here in your portal. Our emails tell you when there is news but never carry case details, for your privacy. If you write to [email protected], mention the case number in the subject line so our team can find it quickly.

If you raised a concern

We're here to listen and help

If you've had a difficult experience with a halal-conscious business, including any place that carries the HCC seal, you don't have to handle it alone. You can bring it to us as a case. We'll listen carefully, look at the facts, and help work toward a fair outcome.

A case is not about "taking sides." It's about giving everyone a chance to be heard and protecting trust in the community.

Start a case Check your case

What is a case?

A case is a formal request for the Halal Community Council to look into a concern and follow up in a structured way. It's more than leaving a quick review or sending a comment.

  • You were charged for something you didn't receive.
  • You believe something was mislabeled or misrepresented as halal.
  • You experienced disrespect, discrimination, or a serious communication breakdown.
  • You've seen the same issue repeat and want it addressed more fully.

When you open a case, a case manager will review your story, contact the business when appropriate, and keep you updated as we move through the process.

When it might not be a case

Some things can be handled more simply:

  • You're just looking for a business's contact information or opening hours.
  • You want to leave a rating or review of your experience.
  • You have a question about how our membership works in general.

If you're not sure whether your situation should be a case, you can still tell us what happened. If it's better suited as feedback or a simple question, we'll let you know.

Our role

What we can do, and what we cannot

We will always be honest about what is and isn't within our role so we don't make promises we can't keep.

What we can do

Listen and clarify

We start by understanding your story in your own words.

  • Read your full description, not just a summary.
  • Ask follow-up questions if something is unclear.
  • Help you express what you hope will happen next.

What we can do

Engage the business

We bring your concern to the business in a calm, neutral way.

  • Share a clear summary of what you reported.
  • Invite their side of the story and ask for a response.
  • Encourage fair solutions and real improvements.

What we cannot do

Important boundaries

We're here to help, but there are things we are not able to do.

  • We cannot act as your lawyer or give legal advice.
  • We cannot force businesses to do things outside our agreements.
  • We cannot handle emergencies. If anyone is in danger, call 911 or contact local emergency services.
  • We do not issue religious rulings (fatāwā); we follow guidance from qualified scholars.
  • We do not judge food safety. A credible report of illness or a health hazard is passed to the local health department.

Step by step

How your case moves through the process

Every situation is unique, but most cases follow these steps:

  1. You tell us what happened

    You fill out the Share a concern form describing your experience, any proof you have (receipts, screenshots, messages, photos), and what you hope will happen. You can add up to 5 photos or PDF files with the form; only HCC staff working on the concern can open them. If we need to see another file, we ask and tell you how to send it.

  2. We review and may contact you

    A case manager reads your case carefully. If something is unclear, we may reach out to ask a few more questions so we understand it properly.

    Acknowledged within 2 business days when we can reach you

  3. We contact the business

    We share a calm, neutral summary of your concern with the business and invite them to respond with their side and any relevant information. We tell you when we have contacted them.

  4. We explore options

    We look for fair ways forward. This might include a refund, replacement, fix, apology, policy change, or other steps to repair trust.

  5. We close the case and share the outcome

    Once it's clear what can (or cannot) be done, we close the case and let you know the outcome. Where appropriate, we also note what the business has agreed to change going forward.

Already have a case?

Check in on your case

If you've already opened a case with us, there are a few ways to check in. If you're having trouble finding your case number, reach out and we'll help locate your file.

  • Online

    Sign in

    Sign in to the account you created when you shared your concern, then open Share a concern to see your case status, our messages and recent updates. You can reply there.

    Share a concern

  • By case number

    Ask for an update

    Use your case number and the email you used to file the case to request an update at [email protected].

  • By email

    Keep the number in the subject

    When you write to us, keep your case number in the subject line. Our emails tell you there is news; for your privacy, they never carry the details of your case.

If you raised a concern

Frequently asked questions

Will the business see everything I write?

We may share parts of your case with the business so they can respond fairly. We focus on what is needed to understand what happened. We do not share more than is necessary and we keep internal notes private.

The form asks you first: we share what you wrote only if you tick the box that allows it, and we name you to the business only with your permission for this case.

Can I stay anonymous?

In many situations, it's hard to fully review a case without sharing who was involved. In some limited cases we may be able to raise a concern in a more general way. If anonymity is important to you, leave the name box unticked, tell us in your case form, and we will explain what is and isn't possible.

We never tell the business who you are without your permission, except where a court, a regulator or the law requires it. You can also share a concern without an account, but then we cannot write back to you.

How long does a case usually take?

Simple cases can sometimes be handled within a few days. More complex cases, especially those with multiple people and documents, can take longer. Routine cases aim to close within 30 days. If there is a delay, we send short updates rather than becoming silent, at least every 10 business days.

What if I don't agree with the outcome?

You can always tell us if you feel something important was missed. There may be times when, even after reviewing everything, there is only so much we can do within our role. If that happens, we will be honest about it and explain why.

If we close your case without action, you may ask for a review within 10 business days of the closing notice. A panel of three people with no part in the case decides within 20 business days.

Can I still leave a review on the business?

Yes, if reviews are available for that business. A case is about a structured follow-up; a review is your public feedback. We simply ask that reviews remain honest and respectful, even when you're sharing something negative.

Not with HCC yet?

Every business is checked against the same published Standard. Read what the check looks for, then apply when you are ready.

Apply for a check Read the Standard