Indonesia’s BPJPH Mandates Halal Certification for All Overseas Raw Materials

The recent announcement from Indonesia’s Ministry of Religion’s Halal Product Guarantee Administration Agency (BPJPH) marks a significant shift in the country’s import regulations, particularly for food, beverage, and meat products. Starting October 2024, all such products imported into Indonesia must be certified halal. This move, as explained by BPJPH Head Aqil Irham, is not just about religious compliance but also ties into broader aspects like cleanliness, business ethics, international trade, and market reputation.

The requirement for halal certification means that raw materials and meat products like beef, buffalo, and chicken, if not certified, will be held at customs and barred from circulation within Indonesia. The BPJPH is proactively engaging with foreign halal institutions for mutual recognition and acceptance agreements. This process involves direct reviews of foreign halal institutions (LHLN) to ensure they meet Indonesian standards for halal products.

Examples of international engagement are evident, with authorities like the governor of South Korea, the Canadian Minister of Trade, and the Australian Government already in discussions with BPJPH to expedite the mutual recognition and acceptance process. This not only reflects Indonesia’s commitment to halal compliance but also its influence in setting global standards in the halal market.

Furthermore, this regulation is poised to have a significant impact on domestic business, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). By encouraging these businesses to obtain halal certification for their products, the BPJPH is promoting the competitiveness of local products in a global market increasingly attentive to halal compliance.

The global trend towards halal products, interestingly, is not limited to Islamic countries but is also gaining traction in secular nations. This demonstrates a growing awareness and respect for halal standards, which encompass a wide range of issues from religious adherence to general considerations of cleanliness and ethical business practices.

Indonesia’s decision to mandate halal certification for imported food and beverage products is a strategic move that aligns with global trends and standards. It underscores the importance of halal certification in international trade and the potential impact on local businesses and global market dynamics.