BPJPH Urges Businesses to Accelerate Halal Certification Ahead of October 2026 Mandate

The Head of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan, has urged businesses across Indonesia to accelerate their halal certification process ahead of the mandatory implementation deadline in October 2026. He assessed that this step is crucial for businesses not only to comply with legal provisions but also to enhance their competitiveness amidst the rapidly growing halal industry. “Stop thinking about delaying (halal certification). The remaining time must be utilised as effectively as possible so that businesses are ready to face the mandatory halal implementation in October 2026,” Haikal stated in Jakarta on Monday. He further asserted that halal certification is no longer merely an obligation to meet regulatory requirements but has become a strategic instrument for building consumer trust, increasing product added value, expanding market access, and strengthening the competitiveness of Indonesian products in both domestic and global markets. “Today’s halal ecosystem has become a tangible economic force. Halal certification should not be viewed as a burden, but rather as a strategy to win consumer trust and improve business competitiveness,” Haikal said. The appeal aligns with the significant contribution of the halal industry to the national economy. Haikal explained that based on data from the National Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance (KNEKS) included in an official Ministry of Finance report, the Halal Value Chain (HVC) sector contributed 27 percent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or approximately Rp4,900 trillion, in the third quarter of 2025. “This proves that the halal industry has developed into one of the important pillars of national economic growth,” he said. In a global context, Haikal also reminded that the evolving landscape of the global halal industry increasingly demands that Indonesian businesses move faster. He noted that competition is no longer confined to the domestic market but also involves various countries that have made the halal industry a key engine of economic growth. “The competitors for Indonesian businesses are not only from within the country. Many nations have turned the halal industry into an economic opportunity. Indonesia has enormous potential and must be able to become a major player in the global halal industry,” Haikal concluded.