Based on the assessment of independent consultant Mesopartner & Analytical from Germany in May 2024, Indonesia is ranked 27th out of 185 countries in the Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQll) and 1st among ASEAN member countries. This achievement shows that the quality of infrastructure in Indonesia is improving, including standardization, accreditation, and metrology (measurement), so that it can offer a good, fast, and efficient user experience.
To continue strengthening the national quality infrastructure, the National Standardization Agency (BSN) is again holding the 2024 National Quality Infrastructure Festival (FIMN). This activity was attended by around 2,000 participants from Conformity Assessment Institutions (LPK) accredited by the National Accreditation Committee (KAN) from all over Indonesia and stakeholders from the government, the business world, professionals, and consumers.
Head of the National Standardization Agency (BSN), Drs. Kukuh S. Achmad, M.Sc., revealed the importance of standards in increasing productivity and economic growth in Indonesia. This was conveyed at the National Meeting on Standardization and Conformity Assessment with the theme “Strengthening Quality Infrastructure to Support Increasing National Competitiveness” held by the National Standardization Agency (BSN) on August 12, 2024 at Assembly Hall 3, Jakarta Convention Center (JCC).
“There are three main pillars of quality infrastructure: standardization, accreditation, and metrology. Good quality infrastructure is believed to increase market access, product diversification, consumer and environmental protection, and industrial competitiveness,” said Kukuh.
He said that standardization contributed to 21.2% of labour productivity growth and 14.5% of Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is based on the Center for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) report published in July 2023.
“The report shows that a 1 per cent increase in the number of standards applied is associated with a 0.16 per cent increase in labour productivity. “This standardization activity is for the long term to provide protection and increase national competitiveness,” said Kukuh.
Therefore, his party invited various stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of national infrastructure quality. The Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics (LPPOM), represented by the Halal Partnership and Audit Services Director of LPPOM, Dr. Ir. Muslich, M.Sc., was also present to encourage the strengthening of national quality infrastructure in terms of halal certification in Indonesia.
In this forum, Muslich said that the government is implementing mandatory halal certification stages. Based on Act No. 6 of 2023, this obligation covers all products that enter, circulate and are traded in the territory of Indonesia. There are four types of products: food and beverages, raw materials, additives, auxiliary materials for food and beverages, logistics services, and slaughtered products.
Halal certification is a form of product fulfilment that meets the standards set in regulations by the Indonesian government. “The existence of a halal certificate as a standard guarantee of protection for Muslims in consuming halal products, as well as to provide added value to business actors and easy access and market expansion, especially to countries with Muslim-majority populations,” said Muslich.
He emphasized that the regulation of halal certification obligations is under the responsibility of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia. Meanwhile, the decision on halal certification fatwas is under the responsibility of the Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Council of Ulama (KF MUI). Of course, the halal certification fatwas can be decided based on the audit report conducted by the Halal Inspection Body (LPH), one of which is LPPOM.
Suppose the administration and audit have been carried out. In that case, business actors will receive a halal certificate that is valid forever if there are no changes to the ingredients and composition. This period of provision certainly attracts business actors. Regarding regulations, the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH) has a surveillance or supervision scheme to ensure consistency in SJPH implementation.
To encourage quality infrastructure, LPPOM has SNI ISO/IEC 17065: 2012 accreditation and SNI ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 accreditation for laboratories from the National Accreditation Committee (KAN). This is a commitment to providing excellent and professional service in halal inspection. The LPPOM Lab is Indonesia’s first and only laboratory that offers one-stop testing for halal and vegan. The LPPOM Laboratory continues developing various services, such as diethylene glycol and propylene glycol contamination tests for pharmaceuticals, ethylene oxide for food, and 1,4-dioxane tests for cosmetics.
FIMN is an event that aims to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of quality infrastructure in supporting the competitiveness of the national industry. In addition, this exhibition has also been officially opened from 12-13 August 2024 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC).
This event was enlivened by several series of activities. Among them are the International Seminar, Technical Meeting of the Conformity Assessment Institution (LPK), Exhibition in the framework of the National Quality Infrastructure Festival, and Standardization and Conformity Assessment Training, which showcases the services of various LPKs such as product certification, testing, calibration, management system certification, laboratory equipment, and BSN-assisted MSME products. This event also held free consultation services for SNI, TKDN, POSTEL, Halal, Brand and LKPP E-Catalog certification.
Thousands of visitors, from business people to professionals, came to visit 48 booth tenants from various agencies and institutions that were present. Of course, LPPOM was present at this event. Visitors had free consultations with LPPOM regarding halal laboratories and halal certification at Assembly Hall 3 Booth No. 35.
Currently, LPPOM continues to encourage government efforts to realize halal obligations in various efforts, ranging from educating business actors to several programs to facilitate business actors in carrying out halal certification. LPPOM also provides a platform that makes it easy for consumers, both business actors and the public, to check products that already have halal certificates.
You can check the halalness of a product through the website www.halalmui.org or the Halal MUI application, which can be downloaded from the Google Playstore and the BPJPH website. Business actors who have food products and have not registered for certification should immediately register and choose LPH LPPOM to carry out halal checks to meet the regulations set by the government. LPPOM also offers various lab testing services for food safety and vegan claims. (ZUL)
