Indonesia Implements Mandatory Halal Certification for Products

Strengthening Consumer Protection and Economic Competitiveness

Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) has reaffirmed that mandatory halal certification will be fully enforced starting October 18, 2026. This regulation, part of President Prabowo Subianto's national development vision known as Asta Cita, aims to strengthen consumer protection, enhance national economic independence, and boost industry competitiveness.

Strategic Objectives of Halal Certification

The halal certification serves multiple strategic functions:

1. Consumer Protection Instrument: Ensures product safety and quality for Muslim consumers
2. Economic Strengthener: Enhances national economic resilience and industry competitiveness
3. Growth Driver: Creates added value, opens market access, and improves national competitiveness
4. Universal Quality Standard: Positions halal as a symbol of health, hygiene, and quality beyond religious significance

Implementation Roadmap

The implementation of mandatory halal certification will be conducted in stages:

• First phase (October 2024): Covered food and beverages, raw materials, and slaughtered products for medium and large enterprises
• Full implementation (October 2026): Will expand to include:
  • Food and beverages (UMK and foreign products)
  • Raw materials, food additives, and auxiliary materials
  • Slaughtered products and slaughtering services
  • Natural medicines, quasi-medicines, and health supplements
  • Cosmetics, chemical products, and genetically engineered products
  • Consumer goods including clothing, accessories, and household items

Impact on Businesses and Economy

The BPJPH emphasizes that this regulation is not merely an administrative requirement but a crucial element of national development strategy. The agency is working on:

1. Accelerating halal certification facilitation
2. Strengthening institutional capacity and human resources
3. Developing halal ecosystem policies
4. Fostering cross-sector partnerships
5. Enhancing halal industry research from upstream to downstream

By implementing these measures, Indonesia aims to strengthen its position in the global halal industry value chain while enhancing consumer trust and national economic resilience.