Indonesia has reiterated its commitment to continuing the\nimplementation of the halal certification obligation, or Wajib Halal, by\nOctober 2026 in accordance with the schedule set. The commitment was\nconveyed at the Specific Trade Concern (STC) forum of the World Trade\nOrganization (WTO).<\/p>\n
In the forum, Indonesia expressed appreciation to several trading\npartners \u2014 the European Union, the United States, India, Australia,\nJapan, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland \u2014 for their continued\nattention and involvement in the implementation of the Halal Product\nAssurance System (SJPH) in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe provisions on the implementation of the halal certification\nobligation are regulated in Government Regulation Number 42 of 2024. The\nregulation provides the legal basis for the national implementation of\nthe mandatory halal product assurance policy,\u201d said Ahmad Haikal Hasan,\nHead of the Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH) in a\nwritten statement, Sunday (8 March 2026).<\/p>\n
\u201cIndonesia emphasised that implementation will proceed according to\nthe schedule already set. At this stage, no further extensions or\nadditional transition period are planned, given that the schedule has\nbeen widely communicated to stakeholders from the outset,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreviously, the government had granted a transition period by\nextending the deadline for halal certification obligation for several\nproduct categories to 17 October 2026, from 17 October 2024. This\nincludes food and beverage products of micro and small enterprises\n(UMK), imported products, products from animals slaughtered for halal\npurposes, as well as slaughtering services.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis extension of the transition period was intended to provide\nsufficient time to complete the mutual recognition arrangements and to\ngive business players the opportunity to prepare for compliance with the\napplicable provisions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haikal emphasised that under the regulations, products containing\nnon-halal ingredients may still enter, circulate, and be traded in\nIndonesia, provided there is a clear non-halal label in accordance with\nthe applicable provisions. Consequently, products derived from\ningredients prohibited under halal standards may still be imported and\ndistributed in Indonesia subject to the relevant requirements.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Haikal explained that recognition of foreign halal\ncertificates is conducted bilaterally and on a reciprocity basis between\nIndonesia and partner countries. Under the applicable provisions, only\nforeign Halal Certification Bodies established or authorised by the\ngovernment or Islamic authorities in the country of origin, recognised\nby the competent authorities, and accredited by the local accreditation\nbody or by BPJPH\u2019s accreditation team, may certify products for the\nIndonesian market. The mutual recognition of halal certificates is a key\nfactor in supporting smooth economic and trade relations with partner\ncountries.<\/p>\n
In this forum, Indonesia also explained halal logistics arrangements,\nincluding packaging, storage, and distribution services, designed to\nsafeguard the integrity of halal products along the supply chain and to\nprevent cross-contamination with non-halal ingredients. These steps aim\nnot only to protect consumers but also to provide legal certainty and\nclear operational guidance for service providers, while strengthening\nthe credibility and reliability of the Halal Product Assurance\nSystem.<\/p>\n
Therefore, this policy is expected to support the creation of a more\ntrusted and predictable global halal trade ecosystem. The halal\ncertification obligation for the logistics sector only applies to\npackaging, storage, and distribution services that are directly related\nto food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-reaffirms-commitment-to-implement-halal-certification-obligation-by-october-2026-at-wto-stc-forum-1772997393", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }