Jakarta \u2013 Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the\nimplementation of mandatory halal certification policy during the World\nTrade Organization (WTO) Specific Trade Concern (STC) forum.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndonesia reaffirms that the implementation of mandatory halal\ncertification will continue according to the schedule that has been\nset,\u201d stated Ahmad Haikal Hasan, Head of the Indonesian Halal Product\nAssurance Agency (BPJPH), in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.<\/p>\n
Haikal further noted that the implementation of this policy follows\nthe previously established schedule for October 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this stage, no further extension or additional transition period\nis planned, considering that the implementation schedule has been\ncommunicated widely to all stakeholders from the outset,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Indonesian government had granted a transition period\nby extending the mandatory halal certification deadline for several\nproduct categories, including food and beverage products from micro and\nsmall enterprises (MSEs), imported products, slaughtered products, and\nslaughtering services, until 17 October 2026, from the previous date of\n17 October 2024.<\/p>\n
The extension of this transition period was intended to provide\nadequate time for completing mutual recognition arrangements and to give\nbusinesses the opportunity to prepare for compliance with applicable\nrequirements.<\/p>\n
He also emphasised that in accordance with regulations, products\ncontaining non-halal materials may still be imported, circulated, and\ntraded in Indonesia, provided they bear clear non-halal labelling as\nrequired by applicable regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThus, products derived from materials prohibited in halal standards\ncan still be imported and distributed in Indonesia by meeting the\nrelevant requirements,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Haikal further explained that recognition of foreign halal\ncertificates is conducted on a bilateral basis and based on the\nprinciple of reciprocity between Indonesia and partner countries.<\/p>\n
In accordance with applicable regulations, only Foreign Halal\nCertification Bodies that are established or authorised by the\ngovernment or a competent Islamic authority in the country of origin,\nrecognised by a competent authority, and accredited by the national\naccreditation body or accredited by the BPJPH accreditation team, can\nconduct product certification for the Indonesian market.<\/p>\n
\u201cCooperation on mutual recognition of halal certificates is very\nimportant within the framework of economics and trade between Indonesia\nand partner countries,\u201d Haikal said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Indonesia explained that halal logistics arrangements,\nincluding packaging, storage, and distribution services, are aimed at\nmaintaining the integrity of halal products throughout the supply chain\nand preventing potential cross-contamination with non-halal\nmaterials.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-reaffirms-commitment-to-implementation-of-mandatory-halal-certification-at-wto-stc-1773034623", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }