- Indonesia will fully enforce mandatory halal certification starting Oct. 17, 2026, under Government Regulation No. 42/2024.
- The requirement will cover food and drinks, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals, biotech and genetic engineering products, consumer goods and packaging.
- The government is pushing MSME readiness through BPJPH’s Sehati free-certification program, targeted to reach 1.35 million certificates in 2026.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has reminded the public that the mandatory halal certification requirement for a range of products will be fully enforced starting Oct. 17, 2026. The provision is stipulated in Government Regulation No. 42/2024 and targets multiple sectors closely tied to daily life.
Fuad Nasar, the ministry’s director for halal product assurance, said the policy covers food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, as well as products in the chemical and biological fields, genetic engineering, consumer goods and product packaging. The scope means more items on the market will be required to carry official halal certification in the coming years.
“This is not merely an administrative obligation, but a shared interest in moving the halal industry as a driver of national economic growth,” Fuad said in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday.
Fuad explained that the ministry’s role within Indonesia’s halal product assurance system is to help bridge different stakeholders. The halal certification process is administered by the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH), while halal fatwas fall under the authority of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), and the products themselves come from businesses.
“At that point, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is present to connect all of those interests,” Fuad said.
He added that the ministry’s task goes beyond issuing reminders about halal regulations. A broader goal, he said, is to foster a culture of “love halal” in society—an effort that cannot rely on regulation alone, but must also be strengthened through education, public outreach, collaboration and sustained development of the halal ecosystem.
Fuad also said the Directorate of Halal Product Assurance works closely with other units within the ministry. One key partner is the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance (Bimas Islam), particularly through the role of marriage registrars (penghulu), who also support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the field as halal product process assistants.
Collaboration is also being pursued with the Directorate of Islamic Religious Information to reinforce halal-focused outreach. Meanwhile, cooperation with the Directorate of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Development is directed toward religious guidance, halal consultation services and strengthening sharia values in daily life.
On economic empowerment, the directorate is also partnering with the Directorate of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment. The focus, Fuad said, is to help MSMEs become more prepared and more aware of the importance of halal certification.
“Strengthening the people’s economy, especially MSMEs, is part of the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Asta Protas. That is where we continue to encourage business players to pay attention to halal certification, including through the self-declare scheme,” Fuad said.
The government’s pro-MSME stance is also reflected in BPJPH’s Sehati program, which provides free halal certificates. Each year, the quota reaches 1 million certificates and is targeted to increase to 1.35 million in 2026.
Fuad said around 60 to 70 percent of BPJPH’s budget is allocated specifically for free halal certification for MSMEs. Even so, he cautioned that the policy should not be treated as a numbers exercise.
“The quota must be absorbed. If not, it will be wasted because it is subsidized by the state budget. More importantly, we need to build public awareness and concern so people genuinely embrace halal, allowing the halal ecosystem to grow naturally,” he said.
Indonesianpost.com | Kabarin