Welcoming the enactment of Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance which contains mandatory provisions for halal certification, including for use goods, a number of producers have pocketed halal certificates from Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI). These include refrigerators, cooking utensils, tissues, socks, paper, color for adult diapers.
Some time ago, Sharp brand refrigerator ads stole the public’s attention. The trigger was the display advertisement of products made by PT Sharp Electronic Indonesia which included information on MUI’s halal certification. The public, including observers of halal issues, ask, should refrigerators or refrigerators, which are not eaten, be halal certification? A similar question arises when the community discovers socks, cooking utensils, to wall paint that is also certified as halal MUI.
The Director of the Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics Indonesia Council of Ulama (LPPOM MUI), Dr. Ir. Lukmanul Hakim, M.Sc., admitted, in recent years, the demand for halal certification in the institution he leads has not only increased, but has also increasingly varied. Including halal certification for used goods, which continue to grow annually, some time ago, Sharp brand refrigerator ads stole the public’s attention. The trigger was the display advertisement of products made by PT Sharp Electronic Indonesia which included information on MUI’s halal certification. The public, including observers of halal issues, ask, should refrigerators or refrigerators, which are not eaten, be halal certification? A similar question arises when the community discovers socks, cooking utensils, to wall paint that is also certified as halal MUI.
Director of LPPOM MUI, Dr. Ir. Lukmanul Hakim, M.Sc., admitted, in recent years, the demand for halal certification in the institution he leads has not only increased, but has also increasingly varied. Including halal certification for used goods, which continue to grow every year, “Halal certification has become one of the strengths of competitiveness for producers, including manufacturers of used goods that are increasingly concerned about the halal guarantee of their products,” said Lukmanul Hakim.
Another reason why manufacturers of used goods, – terms for products other than food, drinks, cosmetics and medicines -, feel the need to submit halal certification for their products, according to Lukmanul Hakim, was triggered by the enactment of Law No. 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance (JPH). In one of the articles, the Law states that halal-certified products are not only food products, beverages, medicines and cosmetics, but also in service and goods. “Halal certification has become one of the strengths of competitiveness for producers, including manufacturers of used goods that are increasingly concerned about the halal guarantee of their products,” said Lukmanul Hakim.
Another reason why manufacturers of used goods, – terms for products other than food, drinks, cosmetics and medicines -, feel the need to submit halal certification for their products, according to Lukmanul Hakim, was triggered by the enactment of Law No. 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance (JPH). In one of the articles, the Law states that halal-certified products are not only food products, beverages, medicines and cosmetics, but also in service and goods.
The provisions referred to by Lukmanul Hakim, are explained in detail in Article 1 paragraph (1) of the Law, which confirms that what is meant by products are goods and / or services related to food, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, chemical products, biological products, genetic engineering products, as well as use items that are used, used, or utilized by the community.
In paragraph (10) it is explained that the halal certificate is the recognition of the halal status of a product issued by the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) based on a written halal fatwa issued by the MUI.
Executive Director of Indonesia Halal Watch (IHW), Dr. H. Ikhsan Abdullah, SH, MH stated, referring to the JPH Law, the halal status of a product does not only cover food, drinks, medicines, cosmetics, but also used goods. Useful items include all products worn by people, from hair accessories to footwear. “Since this is the mandate of the law, it must be implemented. There must be no exceptions, “he stressed.
Act No. 33 of 2014 does not explain further about the use of goods. These provisions only state that the goods used are used, used or utilized by the community. That is, the scope is indeed very broad, ranging from refrigerators, socks, wall paint, ink, paper, to adult diapers. (Complete data on used products that have been halal certified can be accessed at www.halalmui.org.)
Reasons for Applying for Halal Certification
To the media, the National Sharp’s Senior Sales General Manager of PT Sharp Electronics Indonesia (SEID), Andri Adi Utomo, explained that the halal refrigerator is a form of Sharp’s concern to maintain public confidence in the goods used. “Basically, all of our products have been passed through national and international standards. But with this MUI halal certification we can further convince consumers if Sharp products are truly guaranteed to be safe, “Andri said, as quoted by Kumparan.com.
Regarding the public’s question regarding the halal label attached to the refrigerator, Andri explained that his party submitted an application for halal certificate to MUI. According to him, halal certificate for non-food products is not something strange. Because, he said, so far the MUI has issued halal certification for food and non-food products. “Our local refrigerator products can get halal certification, of course, after going through the registration and audit process of the MUI. Checking covers many aspects, including materials such as the process of production facilities,” he explained.
Andri is right. Halal certification for used products is not only done by Sharp brand refrigerators or refrigerators. Previously, PT Maspion Group also announced that one of its flagship products, namely the Maxim cooking utensils or frying pan, had also obtained an MUI halal certificate.
Edwin Siswanto, GM Marketing and Sales of PT Maspion Maxim Division, revealed that the reason for submitting halal certification for Maxim products was to meet market demands, both at home and abroad. “After receiving the MUI halal certificate, Maxim brand cooking equipment products are increasingly in demand by foreign markets, especially the Middle East market,” he said, to the Halal Journal.
Edwin said, the market demand was because so far it had given to residents who needed kitchen equipment, especially cooking utensils, which were safe, healthy, and of course also halal. The thayyib aspect needs to be pointed out and underlined, according to him, because there are some people who are worried that if the components of non-sticky substances or ingredients in the cooking utensils are peeled off, then mixed with cooked food, it will cause danger to those who consume them.
“Research conducted by the LPPOM MUI auditor team has proven that the cooking utensils that we produce are not problematic. Because the components of non-sticky substances / ingredients are made from plants that are food-grade, so our products are declared halal and thoyyib with halal certificates that have been received from the MUI, “he said, adding that the non-sticky substances / ingredients in cooking utensils The result has also passed FDA tests, the United States Agency for POM which is known to be very strict.
Other products that are no less phenomenal are laundry detergents and Total Almeera’s fabric softener. After pocketing the MUI halal certificate, the detergent manufacturer aggressively carries a halal theme in each of its advertisements.
According to the Deputy CEO of PT Total Chemindo Loka F. Gunawan, there are many considerations behind the decision to propose halal certification for Total Almeera detergent products. “We offer products that guarantee that the clothes used for worship, also washed with halal detergent, are free from unclean,” Gunawan said.
Another unique product that is unique is socks. PT Soka Cipta Niaga pioneered halal certification for the product. The company, which is located in Bandung, West Java, is now pocketing MUI halal certificates for various types of Soka brand socks products.
As a product that attaches directly to the skin, according to the Deputy Director of LPPOM MUI in the Field of Auditing and Halal Assurance System, Ir. Muti Arintawati, M.Sc, it is natural that even socks must be halal certified. Because, like other garment products, in the process of producing socks there is also a process of coloring and softening (softening). In this process usually involves additional ingredients, which can come from plants and animals. “In addition to the sake of sharia principles to be free from unclean materials, this certification is also to meet regulatory requirements,” said Muti Arintawati.
Based on the Halal Journal notes, the tendency of producers to apply for halal certification to MUI for used products has actually been around since 2010. In November 2010, for example, MUI issued a halal certification for circumcision products made in China. In fact, when viewed from the product and its basic ingredients, circumcision tools made from synthetics that do not have a critical point unclean or unclean. However, because these products are imported from China and used by Muslims, the producers or importers seem to want to convince consumers that their products are free from exposure to illicit or unclean goods.
LPPOM MUI data shows that up to now there have been hundreds of types of used products that have obtained halal certificates. For example, floor mats or carpets and prayer mats, which are produced by PT Belindo International Carpets. There are several brands and fluids, including Genesis, Portofindo, and Shafira brands for floor mats and Al Imam for prayer rugs and prayer rooms.
In addition, there are also Maritex brand wall paints produced by PT Rajawali Hiyoto, Downey fabric softener, Do Care adult diapers to Election inks produced by several companies. There are also special papers for the Qur’an, to the cap of beverage bottles to plastic packaging.
Are there any Haram Critical Points?
Muti Arintawati explained, even though it does not enter the body like food or drinks, the ingredients in used products must still be observed halal. Because, if the material contains unclean or unclean, then when in contact with food will make the food contaminated with unclean goods so that it becomes unclean to consume.
Refrigerator or refrigerator, for example; According to Muti Arintawati, based on the assessment and audit process, it was found that several components in the refrigerator were made from a mixture of ingredients using elements from fatty acid derivatives. The fatty acid element is a critical ingredient from the halal side. “Because fatty acids can be derived from animal and vegetable ingredients, it must be ensured that the material is not derived from unclean and unclean ingredients,” he said.
A similar view was expressed by Dr. Sri Mulijani, Teaching Staff of the Department of Chemistry and Research Staff of the Halal Science Study Center, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB). In this era, refrigerators must not only save energy, but can also avoid food from microbial exposure during storage. The addition of antibacterial substances and antibau substances to the refrigerator is the latest technology that has been released by refrigerator manufacturers.
Well, some of the additional substances used as antibacterial and antibau must be observed, because they have the potential to contain unclean or unclean ingredients. For example, the green tea extract used is called Green Catechins. The use of green tea extract is made possible by the support of Green Plasma technology that works by sterilizing and keeping the air flow cool so the food stays fresh and hygienic.
Air filtering is done to ensure that the air entering the refrigerator remains sterile using green tea extracts. The stages begin with prefilter, hepafilter, sanitation by killing germs, to deodorizer by reducing odor. This system ensures that the incoming air is pure and odorless. The potential non-compliance of green tea extracts is the possibility of adding fragrances to reduce odor.
Odor removal agents are added to the refrigerator to prevent or eliminate the odor of food, vegetables, or meat stored in the refrigerator. In general, the deodorizer contained in the refrigerator (built-in) is a filter that filters air through natural fibers and activated carbon filters.
The filter can get rid of unpleasant odors and maintain the original aroma of food to be more durable. The pungent odor is emitted continuously through the air passing through the activated carbon filter. “Activated carbon is a critical ingredient in halal matters. As is known, activated carbon can come from bones, coal, coconut shells, and charcoal, “Sri Muljani said.
Chairman of the MUI Fatwa Commission Prof. Hasanuddin AF, said that the halal provisions in sharia rules are not limited to the aspect of consumption, but includes a very broad aspect, which is to use or use. Regarding the refrigerator, he added that as a place to store food to be consumed, the item must be believed to be purity. The ingredients should not be mixed with unclean materials, which will affect the halal of food products stored in them.
The same rules apply to pans or cooking utensils and other similar products. Haram critical point on the frying product lies in the coating material, which serves to prevent the occurrence of sticking or rust on the surface of the iron. This coating is a process of changing oil / fat into polymer form due to high temperature and forming a thin layer. The main ingredient of coating comes from solid oil or fat.
The coating is done repeatedly until the surface of the pan becomes black, smooth, and shiny. Thus, the surface of the pan will not be sticky and will not rust easily. Well, coating material derived from fat can come from animal and vegetable fats. That is, solid fat from animal origin can be derived from lard which is clearly forbidden.
Are There Other Reasons?
In addition to business considerations and compliance with regulatory requirements, are there other reasons that encourage manufacturers of goods to apply for halal certification? Muti Arintawati added, there are various reasons that encourage producers, both from external and internal parties, to certify their products, for example, anticipating market trends, in order to meet the demands of consumers in a country, to ethical reasons.
Regarding reasons to meet the demands of consumers in the local country, business operators, especially from non-Muslim countries who want to enter the Indonesian market, feel the need to apply for halal certification. The aim is to make consumers believe that the product they are going to use is truly free from unclean or illicit goods.
Another factor is meeting the requirements of the related product. Chemical products, plastic packaging, and absorbents, for example, are not directly involved in the production of food, beverages, cosmetics or medicines. However, to be used by other companies whose products are halal, halal certificates are a requirement to support the intended halal products of the company, because, according to Muti, the halalness of a product is comprehensive, so all must be halal, including packaging in contact with food.
The next reason is to anticipate trends while increasing added value in the market. Reading the business trends going forward, some companies consider it better to anticipate the possibilities that occur in the future. Like the saying, ready umbrella before it rains. At the same time, halal certificates are also used as added value. Halal standards that have been owned will provide added value to the product.
This strategy is applied by cookware manufacturers, carpet manufacturers, wall paints, and Sharp brand refrigerator manufacturers. When many competitor products are not aware of halal certification, they are one step ahead because their products are equipped with halal certification.
Ethical considerations can also be a reason for halal certification. PT Indah Kiat Pulp and Paper (IKPP), for example, has obtained halal certification for special Al-Qur’an paper products. PT IKPP Vice President Commissioner Gandi Sulistiyanto stated, halal certification for Al-Qur’an paper was carried out because it was used to write holy verses for Muslims.
Al-Qur’an paper produced by his company is one of the most innovative products whose quality is maintained. Although thin, the paper can produce prints that are not shaded and have a high absorption of ink, so that the verses remain legible clearly. The color of the paper is ideal and doesn’t tire the eyes of the reader.
Because of its excellent quality and halal guarantee, the paper from IKPP is now widely used by the Koran publishers and religious books at home and abroad, especially to the Middle East such as Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Iran.
The Product Manager of Color Paper and Stationery, IKPP Citra Yulia added that the halal industry now also reaches service sector components such as logistics, marketing, printing, packaging, branding, and financing. It also encourages APP’s innovation commitment in providing specialty halal certified products to meet the needs of the community for halal products.
Ihsan Abullah appreciates the increasing number of used products that have been halal certified by MUI. According to him, the Indonesian people are considered to be unfamiliar with the halal certification of used goods and services, so there needs to be a pioneering effort from a number of companies in applying for halal certification.
“This is the responsibility of all of us, including the government to socialize halal certification for goods and services that have not been carried out optimally. Through this socialization, it is hoped that the public will not see the use of goods and services certification as something strange and unusual, because, halal certification for the use of goods and services is a consumer demand, and has become the mandate of the law, “said Ikhsan Abdullah.
Another thing that no less important, is the need for clarity about the limits on the use of goods that must be certified halal. “This clarity is needed so that entrepreneurs are not confused, so that all types of materials ask for certification even though it is not relevant to the use related to something that is eaten, enters the human body, attaches to the body or is used for worship,” said Muti Arintawati. (FMS)
