What is the Difference Between Halal Supervisors and Internal Halal Auditors?

By: Ir. Muti Arintawati, M.Si, the President Director of LPPOM MUI

Question:

Assalamu’alaikum wr. wb.

In the halal certification process, we often hear the term halal supervisor whose job is to oversee the halal product inspection process in a company. Before the enactment of Act No. 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance, we also often heard the term Internal Halal Auditor (AHI), which LPPOM MUI introduced as a Halal Inspection Body (LPH).

The question is, what is meant by a halal supervisor? Is there a difference between a halal supervisor and an internal halal auditor that LPPOM MUI previously introduced?

Thank you for your answer and explanation.

Wassalamu’alaikum wr. wb.

Asnel

Ramadhan Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra

Answer:

Waalaikumsalam wr. wb.

Thank you for your question. In the halal certification process, there is indeed a role for halal auditors. Halal auditors are divided into two categories, whose duties and responsibilities are more or less the same. The only difference lies in their respective positions.

First, the External Halal Auditor, which is a device from the Halal Inspection Body (LPH) whose task is to carry out inspection and/or testing activities on whether a product is halal or not. For example, halal auditors at LPPOM MUI.

Second, there are Internal Halal Auditors. Halal-certified companies appoint them. Their duties include supervising the product production process to ensure that it complies with applicable provisions. They are the ones referred to in Act No. 33 of 2014 as Halal Supervisors. Based on Article 1 of Act No. 33 of 2014, a halal supervisor is a person who is responsible for the halal product process (PPH) in a company. The duties and roles of a halal supervisor are regulated in Article 28 of Act No. 33 of 2014, namely:

1. Supervising the Halal Production Process in the company;
2. Determining corrective and preventive actions;
3. Coordinating the Halal Production Process; and
4. Accompanying the LPH Halal Auditor during the inspection.

Is the halal supervisor the same as the Internal Halal Auditor (AHI) previously introduced by LPPOM MUI? Yes. In the Halal Assurance System (HAS) 23000, the terms AHI and Internal Halal Auditor Coordinator (KAHI) are known. The term is now a halal supervisor. The duties and responsibilities of the halal supervisor are regulated in more detail in Article 51 of the Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia No. 39 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of the Halal Product Assurance Sector, namely:

1. Implementing the provisions of laws and regulations concerning Halal Product Assurance;
2. Implementing the Halal Product Assurance System;
3. Preparing a Halal Production Process plan;
4. Implementing risk management for controlling the Halal Production Process;
5. Proposing replacement of Materials;
6. Proposing the termination of production that does not meet the requirements of the Halal Production Process;
7. Making a report on the supervision of the Halal Production Process;
8. Conducting a review of the implementation of the Halal Production Process;
9. Preparing Materials and examination samples for the Halal Auditor and
10. Showing evidence and providing correct information during the examination process by the Halal Auditor.

Given its enormous role, duties and responsibilities, halal supervisors are required to meet a number of requirements, as stipulated in Article 53 of PP Number 39 of 2021, including being Muslim and having broad insight and understanding of the sharia regarding halal. These requirements must be proven by a halal supervisor certificate, which can be obtained through training and/or certification of halal supervisor competency.

That is our explanation. Hopefully, it answers your questions.Wassalamu’alaikum wr. wb.