MP urges Industry Ministry to simplify halal certification for MSMEs

Surabaya (ANTARA) – House of Representatives member Bambang Haryo Soekartono has urged the Ministry of Industry to speed up and simplify halal certification for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), so their products can compete in international markets.

“The ministry needs to be more proactive, reach out to businesses and accelerate certification so that the many industrial companies in East Java can be served,” Bambang said during a visit to the Surabaya Industrial Standardisation and Services Centre (BSPJI) on Wednesday.

He said certification costs remained an obstacle for small industrial businesses. Fees of around Rp16 million, he said, needed to be reduced to make certification affordable for MSMEs.

Bambang also called for discounts on certification fees for small and medium industries (IKM) to be increased to as much as 80 per cent, enabling more businesses to meet product standards.

He said halal and Indonesian National Standard (SNI) certification was important to ensure the safety of products consumed by the public and to improve the competitiveness of local products against imports.

He hoped that easier certification processes and guidance would help MSMEs improve product quality, grow their businesses and eventually enter international markets.

Meanwhile, BSPJI head Rian Adhi Saputra said costs remained one of the main barriers facing small industries seeking certification.

He said the centre provided guidance and consultation and offered special rates to small and medium industries. For SNI certification services, BSPJI provides a discount of about 20 per cent to eligible businesses.

Halal certification fees, meanwhile, are set by the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), while BSPJI is responsible for field verification.

Rian said the Ministry of Industry supported efforts to build the capacity of small industries so they could meet standards and improve their products’ competitiveness.