Government and MUI Agree Mandatory Halal Certification Will Take Effect in October 2026

Jakarta – The government, through the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, together with the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and national-level Islamic organisations, has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing mandatory halal certification from 18 October 2026.

Deputy Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Dradjad Hari Wibowo said the government had decided to keep the implementation date of 18 October 2026. However, the policy would be rolled out in stages, taking account of the readiness of various parties, particularly businesses.

“We have decided together to proceed on 18 October, but implementation will be adjusted to the readiness of the various parties, including businesses, so there will be stages,” Dradjad said in a statement on Thursday (8 October 2026).

He said a key issue was the completion of several technical regulations that must be issued by the Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH).

“What is crucial is that several technical regulations must be signed by BPJPH. After that, when the regulations are implemented, we must ensure that the process runs smoothly and well,” he said.

Dradjad added that the government recognised that new policies require evaluation and refinement. Implementation of mandatory halal certification would therefore continue to be improved, to maximise the benefits of halal certification while minimising any adverse effects.

“Whenever something is new, there will certainly be things that need improvement. If the process runs smoothly, we can maximise the potential of halal certification and minimise any possible side effects. God willing, we will proceed,” he said.

BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said the implementation had the MUI’s support. It would take account of business conditions and the diversity of Indonesian society.

The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, the National Economic Council, the Presidential Staff Office and relevant ministers would receive the MUI’s full support in implementing the October halal requirement.

“Subject to certain considerations, certain dispensations and certain delays,” Haikal said.

He explained that the government understood that some companies and businesses were not yet ready to meet halal requirements. A postponement mechanism would therefore be available to those that needed more time to prepare.