Legislator Highlights Low Number of MSMEs with SNI Certification

A member of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Hendry Munief, is urging the government to expand mentoring and access to standardisation services so that more products from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) meet the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). In a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, Hendry said standardisation needs to be part of efforts to improve the quality and competitiveness of MSME products, not merely a matter of fulfilling regulatory obligations. “We have millions of MSMEs with highly diverse and potential products. But if those that have met and obtained SNI certification are still below one per cent, it means there is a problem we must solve together, not just burden the MSME players with it,” he said. According to him, the government needs to strengthen mentoring, starting from understanding standard requirements, the testing process, to product certification. He also requested the government expand testing laboratory facilities and technical services in the regions, especially around MSME hubs, to reduce the cost and time required for business actors to meet standardisation requirements. “MSMEs in the regions should not have to face high costs and long periods just to obtain testing services. Standardisation infrastructure must also be present closer to MSME hubs,” he said. In addition to expanding service access, Hendry encouraged the government to prepare incentives for MSMEs that voluntarily apply SNI even if their products are not in a category mandated to meet the standard. Hendry also asked the government, together with the DPR, to evaluate the testing and certification mechanism so that the process is simpler, faster, and more affordable for MSMEs. “The quality testing and certification process must be made faster, cheaper, and more easily accessible for MSMEs. Standards that are supposed to increase competitiveness should not be perceived as a barrier for small business actors,” he said. According to Hendry, meeting standards can increase the opportunities for MSME products to enter modern markets, industrial supply chains, government procurement, and even export markets.