BPJPH stresses importance of expanding halal certification for regional MSMEs

The Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) has emphasised the importance of expanding halal certification facilities for micro and small enterprises (UMK). BPJPH Principal Secretary Muhammad Aqil Irham stated in Jakarta on Thursday that this step aims to strengthen regional halal ecosystems whilst enhancing the competitiveness of local products ahead of the Mandatory Halal implementation in October 2026. “Funding and support can be carried out collaboratively through regional governments, BAZNAS, the Indonesian Waqf Board, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. With such support, more UMK products will be able to obtain halal certificates and improve their competitiveness in the market,” said Aqil Irham. He assessed that the development of the halal ecosystem cannot be undertaken by BPJPH alone, but requires collaboration and synergy from various parties, including regional governments, so that more business actors gain access to halal certification services and are able to utilise halal certification as an instrument for business strengthening. Furthermore, Aqil Irham asserted that halal certificates not only serve as a form of regulatory compliance, but are also an important factor in increasing consumer trust and expanding market opportunities for business actors. “Our presence here is to provide understanding that food, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, and various other products regulated under the Halal Product Assurance provisions must be halal-certified,” he said. “Halal certification is not merely regulatory compliance, but also an added value that can increase consumer trust in the products produced by business actors,” he added. Additionally, Aqil Irham explained that strengthening the halal ecosystem is a strategic step to ensure business actors are ready to face the Mandatory Halal implementation in October 2026, whilst also being able to capitalise on the vast opportunities of the national and global halal market. Based on BPJPH data as of 15 June 2026, a total of 23,390 business actors have obtained halal certificates, covering 51,301 halal-certified products. The food and beverage sector is the largest contributor, with 23,319 business actors and 50,631 halal-certified products. The majority of these halal certificates were issued through the SEHATI self-declare scheme, designed by BPJPH to facilitate micro and small enterprise products in fulfilling halal certification obligations.