Closing the Information Gap: A Professional Reading of Indonesia's BPJPH Halal Certification Policy (Four Questions)

Closing the information gap | SINOQUAL gives you a professional reading of Indonesia's BPJPH Halal certification policy

Question 1:

AI all says that Indonesian Halal certificates are valid for 4 years - why do you say they are valid long-term?

Professional reading: Indonesian Halal certification is valid long-term.

Previously, under Indonesia's GR 39/2021 regulation, Halal certificates issued by the Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency BPJPH were valid for 4 years, and renewal applications had to be submitted at least 3 months before the expiry date.

However, under Indonesia's Law No. 6 of 2023, Halal certificates issued by BPJPH now have permanent validity, provided that the material composition or Halal product process (PPH) has not changed. Therefore, unless the product changes, no renewal process is needed. If any changes are made to the material composition, PPH, or product development, the enterprise must update its Halal certificate by submitting an application to BPJPH along with supporting documents.

For enterprises whose certificates are valid for 4 years, there is no need to worry either - SINOQUAL can assist you in replacing your existing certificate with a long-term-valid version free of charge.

Question 2: Between the MUI decree and BPJPH Halal, which is the truly official certificate for the Indonesian market?

MUI decree certificate template

BPJPH certificate template

Professional reading: The certificate recognized by the Indonesian market is the one issued by BPJPH.

Although many enterprises in China now know that entering the Indonesian market requires Halal certification, they mistakenly believe that the certificate ultimately required is the MUI. SINOQUAL reminds all enterprises again: under Indonesia's Law No. 33 of 2014, the Halal certificate ultimately recognized by the Indonesian market is the BPJPH certification. MUI is only one link in the entire Indonesian BPJPH Halal certification, serving the role of a product Halal inspector.

As early as October 17, 2019, the Indonesian government established the official Halal certification agency BPJPH (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal), bringing Indonesian Halal certification matters under government management. Therefore, in Indonesia today, the only legal and official issuing body is the Indonesian Halal certification agency BPJPH.

Question 3: Do all products entering the Indonesian market need a BPJPH certificate?

Professional reading: Not all products or material compositions circulating in the Indonesian market require Halal certification.

Article 62, paragraph (2) of Indonesian Government Regulation No. 39 of 2021 stipulates three categories of materials that can be exempted from the obligation of Halal certification:

The first category is unprocessed materials from nature. This includes materials extracted from plants or non-slaughtered animals that are unprocessed or physically treated, with no auxiliary materials, additives, or other ingredients added. For example, fresh fruit, fresh and dried vegetables, grains, tubers, nuts, fresh seaweed, corn, ground dried coconut, pure coconut, fresh milk, fresh eggs, freshwater fish, and frozen, dried, or salted fish are not subject to Halal certification.

The second category is materials classified as not carrying the risk of containing prohibited substances. These include materials other than those from nature, as well as materials produced by mining or inorganic and organic synthesis, and chemical products.

The third category is materials that are not classified as hazardous and do not come into contact with non-Halal materials. For example, chemicals produced during the mining and/or refining of natural materials, as well as chemicals produced by inorganic and organic synthesis.

In addition, BPJPH also emphasizes that products derived from non-Halal materials must include non-Halal information to provide consumers with a clear label and explanation. Although these products are exempt from the obligation of Halal certification, they must clearly state on the product packaging or relevant labeling that the product contains non-Halal elements.

Question 4: When is the deadline for Indonesia's mandatory Halal certification?

Professional reading: According to Indonesian regulations, the deadline for Indonesia's mandatory Halal certification needs to be determined based on the category to which the product belongs; different categories have different certification deadlines.

The Indonesian government issued Government Regulation No. 39 of 2021 on the implementation of Halal product assurance (the "Halal Certification Regulation"), requiring Halal certification for various goods and services - a major initiative. In addition to the food and beverage industry, this regulatory framework also covers consumer-goods industries, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment, clothing, office supplies, and household appliances, including their ancillary businesses. To comply with the regulation, each product classification must obtain Halal certification within the prescribed time.

Provisions on certification deadlines for various product categories in Indonesia's Government Regulation No. 39 of 2021 (GR 39/2021)

However, under Indonesia's formally enacted Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024 (GR 42/2024) on the implementation of Halal product assurance, the Halal certification deadline for the three categories of food and beverage products, food additives and raw materials for food and beverages, and slaughter products and slaughter services has been extended from the original October 17, 2024, to October 17, 2026. For categories of non-food-and-beverage products that require Halal certification, the deadlines remain the same as those stipulated in GR 39/2021.

Enterprises that fail to comply with the Halal Certification Regulation may be subject to administrative sanctions such as written warnings, administrative fines, revocation of Halal certificates, and withdrawal of goods or services from the market.

SINOQUAL officially launched Indonesia's BPJPH Halal certification in 2022, helping Chinese enterprises enter the world's largest Halal market. From 2022 to 2025, it has assisted over a hundred enterprises in obtaining the Indonesian government's BPJPH Halal certification. From the most professional perspective, we thoroughly interpret Indonesia's BPJPH Halal certification policy and assist you through the entire process to easily obtain Indonesian BPJPH certification!

A record of the Indonesia BPJPH Halal certification factory audit at Guangdong Fuying Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

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