Indonesia and China Strengthen Halal Product Certification Cooperation

Indonesia and China continue to strengthen halal product cooperation amid growing bilateral trade relations, with China contributing approximately one-third of total national imports. In recent cooperation, Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) signed a Recognition Agreement (RA) with two Chinese halal certification bodies, FUIN Halal Certification Center and Shanghai Museling Testing and Certification, recognising their compliance with the Indonesian Halal Assurance System (SJPH) standards. The agreement follows a meeting held by BPJPH with 18 Chinese halal certification bodies in Jakarta on 28 April, including FUIN Halal Certification Center. The meeting aimed to bolster halal product cooperation between the two nations ahead of Indonesia’s mandatory halal policy taking effect in October 2026. BPJPH stated that the enhanced cooperation with China now covers the entire halal ecosystem from upstream to downstream, including inspection, inventory, packaging, and product distribution processes. BPJPH Chief Ahmad Haikal Hasan noted China was the first country invited to special discussions due to its large number of foreign halal certification bodies (LHLN) and significant product volumes in trade relations with Indonesia. China has long been Indonesia’s largest trading partner, contributing around one-third of total national imports. Chinese imports in the first quarter of this year reached $22.1 billion (US$1 = Rp17,743), a 17.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Beyond certification processes, the two nations have also collaborated on halal product development. In an agreement signed last September, Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry and the Food and Drug Corporation Quality and Safety Promotion Association (FDSA) will work together on halal industry development, investment, capacity building, joint research, and promotion.