As the implementation of Mandatory Halal 2026 approaches, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are facing new challenges that may determine the sustainability of their businesses. In supporting this transition, Halal Inspection Body (LPH) LPPOM continues to take a strategic role in empowering MSEs, including through education and facilitation of halal certification for halal raw material store (toko bahan baku or tobaku) business actors.
Raw material stores are not merely places to shop, but can become key determinants of MSE success in meeting halal standards. The selection of appropriate raw materials not only affects the halal certification process but also impacts business reputation and consumer trust. Therefore, every step in sourcing raw materials becomes crucial for the sustainability and future of MSE businesses.
To support this effort, LPPOM organized a webinar as part of the Festival Syawal 1447 H titled “Mandatory Halal for MSEs 2026: Raw Material Stores Could Determine the Fate of MSEs” for tobaku business actors on March 5, 2026. This theme was specifically raised to explore and deepen the understanding of the important role of tobaku within the halal ecosystem, particularly for MSEs in ensuring the availability of halal, safe, and reliable raw materials, while also strengthening the halal supply chain as a foundation for sustainability and competitiveness in an increasingly halal-conscious market.
The President Director of LPPOM, Ir. Muti Arintawati, M.Si., stated in her remarks that the mandatory halal policy is an important step for MSE business actors. This policy requires comprehensive readiness, starting not only from the production process but also from upstream aspects, namely the raw materials used as the foundation of the product.
However, she acknowledged that several challenges remain, including limitations in material verification processes, incomplete documentation, and a lack of understanding regarding the halal status of raw materials. Therefore, the presence of halal raw material stores is considered highly important and strategic, as it not only facilitates access to verified halal materials but also helps reduce risks in the halal certification process.
“When the halal status and traceability of materials are clear, the halal certification process will be more effective, faster, and more efficient. Through efforts to improve halal literacy among MSE actors and the public, LPPOM hopes that business actors can focus more on developing their products and be ready to face the mandatory halal policy in 2026,” Muti stated.
Meanwhile, the Deputy for Partnership and Halal Standardization at BPJPH (Halal Product Assurance Agency), Dr. H. Abd Syakur, S.Ag., M.Si., emphasized that halal certification has now become an essential requirement for business actors in Indonesia. With a large Muslim population, halal certification significantly influences consumer purchasing decisions and provides added value to products in the market.
He explained that the government has established mandatory halal certification policies through various regulations, including the Halal Product Assurance Act. Under this policy, all products entering, circulating, and traded in Indonesia must be halal-certified, including food and beverages produced by micro and small enterprises, with full implementation targeted by 2026.
“To support this, the government provides various facilitation schemes for MSEs, one of which is the self-declare mechanism. This scheme allows MSE actors, including tobaku business operators, to obtain halal certification through a simpler process, provided that the materials used are clearly halal and the production process is relatively simple,” he explained.
On the same occasion, a Senior Auditor of LPPOM, Rovie Farah Diba, SKM, M.Si., explained the importance of material traceability within SJPH (Halal Product Assurance System). She emphasized that halal integrity must be maintained not only during production but also in handling, storage, distribution, and retail processes at raw material stores.
“Halal tobaku plays a crucial role in the halal ecosystem by providing materials that have been verified for their halal status. When materials available in the market are clearly verified, the halal certification process for MSEs becomes easier and more efficient,” Farah explained.
On the other hand, several challenges remain, such as the limited number of halal-certified raw material stores and low levels of halal literacy among business actors. Therefore, synergy between the government, Halal Inspection Body (LPH), raw material suppliers, and MSE actors is essential to build a stronger and more sustainable halal ecosystem.
According to Meatly Shop Coordinator, Irvan Maulana, practical experience in ensuring halal raw materials at the business level highlights that raw materials serve as the primary foundation of a product. If the halal status of materials is unclear, the entire product may be at risk in terms of both halal compliance and business reputation.
“The implementation of the halal system in the store is carried out comprehensively, starting from management commitment, strict supplier selection processes, to verification of halal documents for every incoming product. In addition, storage and handling systems are specifically arranged to ensure that no contamination occurs with non-halal materials,” Irvan explained.
According to him, consistent implementation of the halal system not only increases consumer trust but also helps MSEs obtain safe and clearly halal raw materials. Thus, halal raw material stores can become strategic partners for MSE actors in facing the mandatory halal certification requirement in October 2026.
LPPOM remains committed to delivering benefits to the Indonesian community. One of the ongoing programs is the Festival Syawal, which focuses on facilitating halal certification for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) as part of LPPOM’s commitment to supporting the government in increasing the number of halal products. In the future, halal products are expected to grow both nationally and globally, thereby creating peace of mind for the Muslim community in consuming halal products.
As part of the Festival Syawal 1447 H themed “Halal Raw Material Stores: The First Step Toward Resilient MSMEs,” LPPOM organizes various activities, ranging from free halal certification facilitation for halal raw material stores to halal outreach and education programs across Indonesia. This initiative aims to strengthen the role of halal raw material stores as a key foundation in building resilient, competitive MSMEs that are ready to grow within the national halal ecosystem. (ZUL)
