LPPOM has a role beyond that of a Halal Inspection Body. Entering its 36th year, LPPOM has become a symbol of dedication and struggle to ensure that products circulating in the community are safe, of high quality, and in accordance with Islamic law. Its work for more than three decades has been an inspiration to continue to go further.
January 6 is a meaningful date for LPPOM. On this date, exactly 36 years ago, this institution was officially established with a clear mission: to advance the halal industry in Indonesia and maintain the people’s trust. With all its achievements, LPPOM has become an institution that is reckoned with at the national level and on the international stage.
When it was first established, LPPOM faced a big challenge. At that time, a big issue arose regarding the potential use of pork fat in several well-known foods and beverages. This caused unrest in the community, which impacted the national food industry. The Government handed over this halal matter to the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI).
The initial mission of establishing LPPOM was to provide peace of mind to the people when consuming food and beverages by ensuring that the products in circulation meet halal principles. This principle has been upheld until now, as conveyed by the President Director of LPPOM, Muti Arintawati, “Halal is zero tolerance, 100%. Clearly, there is no compromise in it.”
The Halal Assurance System (SJH) was born from that struggle and is now the foundation of halal certification in Indonesia. SJH has been adopted by the Government as the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH) and is followed by halal certification institutions abroad. LPPOM has set global standards in the halal industry, which is a proud achievement.
Facing New Challenges with Innovation
Along with implementing mandatory halal certification regulations for all products in Indonesia, the increasing competition with domestic and foreign Halal Inspection Body (LPH) has brought many changes. In addition, the dynamics of regulations are also a challenge.
“Dynamic regulations require LPPOM to adapt quickly. To face this challenge, as a pioneer of halal certification in Indonesia, we must be able to continue to innovate to maintain competitive advantage, so that LPPOM continues to be at the forefront,” said Muti.
LPPOM’s ability to adapt can be proven through the time required for halal inspection. Initially, an average of 28 working days in 2022 was cut to 18 working days in 2023. In 2024, the process was completed in 5 working days through the online halal certification system CEROL-SS23000, integrated with SiHalal.
This is evidence of LPPOM’s commitment to supporting the Government and advancing the halal industry in Indonesia. For this achievement, LPPOM received the 2024 Indonesia Halal Industry Award (IHYA) from the Centre for Halal Industry Empowerment (PPIH) of the Ministry of Industry.
As is commonly known, as stipulated in Act No. 42 of 2024, the new regulation sets a maximum time for halal inspection of domestic products for 15 days with an extension of up to 10 days. LPPOM has exceeded this expectation, showing that adaptation and innovation are the keys to its success.
LPPOM also continues to produce other innovations, such as the Syawal Festival, one of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs that is an arena for LPPOM to side with the halal ecosystem, especially small and micro business actors. This program impacts thousands of business actors and has helped drive the local economy, so it was awarded the Best NGO Initiative in the 2024 ICSAward held by PT. Olahkarsa Inovasi Indonesia.
LPPOM also takes an inventive approach to the logistics sector that is rarely touched through various collaborations, seminars, and workshops, so it received the 2024 Indonesia Logistic Award from Supply Chain Indonesia, a leading institution in Indonesia in the supply chain sector.
LPPOM also continues to produce other innovations, such as the Syawal festival, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program that is an event for LPPOM to support the halal ecosystem, especially small and micro business actors. This program impacts thousands of business actors and drives the local economy, so it was awarded the Best NGO Initiative in the 2024 ICSAward held by PT. Olahkarsa Inovasi Indonesia. LPPOM rarely approaches the logistics sector through collaborations, seminars, and workshops. Therefore, LPPOM received the 2024 Indonesia Logistic Award from Supply Chain Indonesia, a leading institution in Indonesia in the supply chain sector.
Future Strategy
As an institution that has gone through various phases of development, LPPOM has a clear strategy to ensure its sustainability in the future. This strategy is based on four main pillars.
1. Services and Programs
LPPOM continues to improve the quality of its services and create various programs. This is to provide faster and more efficient solutions for business actors who want to obtain halal certification.
2. Halal Socialization and Education
Education is a top priority. LPPOM is committed to providing an understanding to the community, students, university students, and business actors about the importance of halal certification, not only from a religious aspect but also from a health and product quality aspect. Increasing this awareness is hoped to help consumers be more selective in choosing safe and halal products.
3. Human Resource Development (HR)
LPPOM focuses on HR development, including halal auditors and experts in related fields, to answer the challenges of the ever-growing halal industry. LPPOM can respond to market dynamics more quickly and effectively with better capacity.
4. Halal Product Innovation
LPPOM’s Halal Laboratory plays an important role in supporting product innovation. Trends such as biotechnology-based foods, plant-based, vegan, and environmentally friendly products are the focus of development. In addition, breakthroughs related to halal testing of cosmetics, consumer goods, and various other products are continuously improved. This not only answers market needs but also supports environmental sustainability.
Even so, it should be realized that LPPOM’s success cannot be separated from collaboration with various parties, ranging from the community, Government, private sector, and universities to international organizations. This synergy allows LPPOM to strengthen the halal certification system and ensure that the halal standards are always relevant to the times and industrial innovations.
With the vision, mission, and strategy formulated, LPPOM is ready to face future challenges. The spirit to continue to develop and provide the best contribution to the community is a flame that never goes out. Let’s support LPPOM’s journey towards a brighter future, making halal the main foundation of life. (YN/ZUL)
