While halal certification in Indonesia has long served as a vital indicator of compliance with Islamic dietary laws, Indonesia is now gradually moving toward implementing mandatory halal certification for food, beverages, and related products.
This essentially means in order to sell products in Indonesia, foreign exporters must obtain mandatory halal certification and register with the Indonesian government.
This AHF guide is the most complete resource available, providing everything you need to comply with the new guidelines. It features a detailed step-by-step process, complete halal certification requirements, ready-to-use templates, checklists, and much more to support your successful export to Indonesia.
1.0 AHF’s Role in Providing BPJPH Accredited Halal Certification
In Indonesia, the halal certification process has undergone significant changes, particularly with the establishment of the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) under the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
This body was established in October 2017 to take over the responsibility of halal certification from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which had been the primary authority for over a decade.
- BPJPH’s Role: BPJPH is now the central authority responsible for regulating and overseeing halal certification in Indonesia. It ensures that products meet the criteria set by the Halal Products Assurance Law (UUJPH) and works closely with Halal Inspection Bodies (LPH3) to verify compliance.
- Transition from MUI: Although MUI continues to play a role, particularly in issuing fatwas (Islamic legal opinions) related to halal matters, BPJPH is the primary body that businesses must engage with for certification. This transition has led to some confusion among businesses, making it essential to understand the specific requirements and processes now governed by BPJPH.
The American Halal Foundation (AHF) is accredited by BPJPH and other governments globally to provide halal certification for exports.
Check Out: American Halal Foundation (AHF) Achieves BPJPH Accreditation
2.0 What is the New Indonesia Halal Certification Law?
The Halal Product Assurance Law, also known as Law No. 33 of 2014, mandates that all products entering, circulating, and being traded within Indonesia must be halal-certified.
This law was amended by Government Regulation No. 2 of 2022 on Job Creation to further streamline the certification process and ensure broader compliance.
Key points include:
- All food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other consumables must be halal-certified. This requirement applies to both domestic products and imports.
- The law covers a wide range of products beyond just food and beverages. It includes cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biological products, genetically engineered products, and consumer goods utilized by the community.
- The law provides legal certainty regarding the halal status of products. The BPJPH, in coordination with other bodies like MUI, ensures that the certification process is transparent and consistent with Islamic principles.
- Businesses must ensure that their entire supply chain, from raw materials to final packaging, complies with halal standards. This includes maintaining a halal product assurance system (HPAS) that documents all aspects of production, storage, and distribution.
3.0 Step-by-Step Guide to Indonesia Halal Certification Process for Exports
| Stage | Description |
| 1. Submission Stage/Registration | AHF will submit your application along with company documents, a list of goods and supplies used, and production management details to the Indonesian authority for review. |
| 2. Inspection Stage/Verification | After submission and payment of the relevant fees. An AHF will be assigned for product and processing inspection. |
| 3. Examination Stage | AHF will submit it’s examination report, which will be reviewed by the Indonesian authorities based on the inspection findings. |
| 4. Determination Stage | Based on AHF’s findings, the Halal Fatwa Assembly will determine the status of the product and inform AHF on approval or rejection. |
| 5. Payment Stage | Upon verification, payment will have to be made within 7 working days to avoid application cancellation. |
| 6. Issuance Stage | After receiving approval, AHF issues the Halal Certification for the product. |
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Azmi is a dynamic content and client development professional at the American Halal Foundation, blending his passion for the halal lifestyle, history, and travel with sharp market insights. Known for his attention to detail and strategic approach, he crafts impactful content that drives engagement and strengthens AHF’s connection with global audiences.
