The government plans to enforce mandatory halal certification for\nfood, beverages, and slaughter products for Micro and Small Enterprises\n(MSMEs) starting 18 October 2026. Sandi Fitrian Noor, a member of\nCommission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), has\nrequested that system readiness and assistance be prioritised to ensure\nthe implementation of this obligation does not burden MSME\noperators.<\/p>\n
Sandi stated that system readiness must be addressed before the\nmandate takes effect. He noted that while business owners have been\ngiven time to adjust to halal certification requirements, the intention\nmust be supported by mature systems rather than just paper\ndeadlines.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate the government\u2019s commitment to making halal product\nassurance a form of state protection for the community. The legal basis\nis clear and business actors have been given years to adjust. However,\nthis good intention must be guarded by mature system readiness,\u201d Sandi\nsaid in a statement on Sunday (20\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
Sandi highlighted the gap between the legal norms that have been in\nplace since 2014 and the enforcement instruments. BPJPH Regulation\nNumber 2 of 2026 regarding the Imposition of Administrative Sanctions\nwas only promulgated on 5 June 2026, less than five months before the\nimplementation deadline.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis situation raises questions about whether field supervisors are\ntruly prepared to enforce the rules fairly and consistently,\u201d the Golkar\nlegislator remarked.<\/p>\n
According to Sandi, the scope of products required to be\nhalal-certified at this stage is broader than previous phases. The scope\nincludes food and beverages, slaughter products, cosmetics, chemical and\ngenetically engineered products, natural medicine, as well as daily\ngoods such as prayer equipment and stationery.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis expansion of scope means the compliance burden for MSMEs\nincreases significantly within a relatively short period,\u201d said\nSandly.<\/p>\n
Sandi also noted that the disparity in capacity between regions poses\na challenge to the implementation of these obligations. He argued that\nthe socialisation and assistance for halal certification, including the\nFree Halal Certification (SEHATI) Programme, may not reach MSMEs evenly,\nparticularly in areas outside Java.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn South Kalimantan, many MSME operators run small businesses,\nrelying on stalls and home production. They are not rejecting the rules,\nbut are often hindered by technical issues such as business legality,\nBusiness Identification Numbers (NIB), and access to information on how\nto register. If sanctions are strictly enforced without considering\nthese conditions, it is the small people who want to comply but have not\nyet had the chance who will suffer,\u201d said Sandi.<\/p>\n
He added that the ability of large companies to meet certification\nrequirements differs from that of home-based food traders, stalls,\ncaterers, and cake and beverage producers. He noted that additional\ncosts, documentation, changes in raw materials, or production processes\ncould impact the capital and sustainability of MSMEs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must not equate the capacity of large companies with small\ntraders. For large companies, certification costs and processes can be\nintegrated into their compliance systems. For MSMEs, additional costs,\ndocumentation, changes in raw materials, or production processes can\ndirectly affect their capital and business continuity,\u201d Sandi said.<\/p>\n
Sandi proposed that the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH)\nimplement law enforcement gradually and proportionally for MSME\noperators, starting with coaching and written warnings before moving to\nadministrative sanctions.<\/p>\n
He also requested that the BPJPH expand the quota and reach of the\nSEHATI programme, especially in regions that have received less\nsocialisation. Furthermore, cross-ministerial and inter-agency\ncoordination, involving the BPJPH, the Ministry of MSMEs, and local\ngovernments, is necessary for technical assistance in managing NIB and\nbusiness documents for MSMEs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe in Commission VIII fully support the vision of Indonesia as a\nglobal halal industry hub. But support does not mean without criticism.\nWe want to ensure this policy runs fairly, does not become a new burden\nfor the common people, and truly provides added value for business\nactors, rather than merely adding administrative complications,\u201d\nconcluded Sandi.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ahead-of-mandatory-halal-certification-dpr-urges-bpjph-to-expand-assistance-for-msmes-1789912520", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }