Like a dilemma, the postponement of mandatory halal certification for imported products has the potential to hamper the BPJPH halal certification process for retail products (sold directly to consumers), while the mandatory halal regulation continues to run. This makes the promise of easy and fast halal certification challenging to implement, including for LPH LPPOM, which carries out certification. Why is that?
The Government has postponed the deadline for the obligation to halal certification for imported products to October 17, 2026. This provision is stated in Government Regulation (PP) No. 42 of 2024 concerning implementing the Halal Product Assurance Sector in Article 160. This step has sparked pros and cons among the public and business actors.
International Halal Partner LPH LPPOM, Asya Fathya N.Z., said that the postponement of the obligation to halal certification for imported products has a complex impact. “On the one hand, this postponement provides time for foreign business actors to meet the halal standards set in Indonesia. However, on the other hand, this delay is also an opportunity for domestic consumers to choose local products whose halal status is clear and easy to obtain,” he said.
Meanwhile, Asya continued, from the aspect of business competition, domestic business actors who do not use imported raw materials can use this as a competitive advantage. This is because local products can obtain halal certification faster or have already obtained halal certification.
It is different for business actors who use imported raw materials. Like a dilemma, this delay can potentially hinder the halal certification process for end products while mandatory halal regulations continue to run.
As is well known, mandatory halal certification for the food and beverage industry has been practical since October 17, 2024. Although there has been no firm action from the Government after the enactment of the regulation, the absence of a halal certificate for the end product poses a high risk to the business.
“Sources of raw materials from abroad often have different halal standards or even no monitoring of their halal status. If raw materials whose halal status is unclear are used by domestic business actors, then it will affect the halal status of the final product,” explained Asya, who has worked at LPH LPPOM as an International Halal Partnership since 2020.
In halal audits, the term “critical point” is significant. “A critical point is a point or activity in the production process that can affect the halal status of a product. For example, the use of raw materials whose halal status is clear or ensuring that production facilities are free from contamination by haram or Najis materials,” explained Asya.
According to Asya, the critical point for the halal status of imported products is ensuring that there is no cross-contamination between halal and non-halal products, especially in production facilities that handle both types of products. This requires identifying materials, facilities, and activities that can affect halal status.
To ensure the halal status of a product, explained Asya, LPH LPPOM auditors examine five criteria in the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH), namely: 1) commitment and responsibility; 2) materials; 3) halal product process; 4) products; and 5) monitoring and evaluation. Business actors must fulfill all of these.
The verification process for imported products is not very different from that of local products. LPH LPPOM auditors will conduct physical observations at production facilities, warehouses, and laboratories; verify SJPH documents and records; simulate traceability of raw materials; conduct interviews for clarification; and perform mass balance calculations to ensure the proportion of halal materials.
“In the process, LPPOM provides an opportunity for business actors to improve and align their processes with the established criteria if there is a gap between implementation in the field and the required criteria. The principle is continuous improvement,” added Asya.
Even so, consumer awareness is important in ensuring that the products they consume are halal. Asya emphasized the importance of proactive steps, such as checking the halal logo on product packaging. “Make sure the halal logo is in accordance with Indonesian standards, and if in doubt, check the LPPOM website (www.halalmui.org) or BPJPH (https://bpjph.halal.go.id/). Halal is not only a matter of belief, but also health and blessings,” he said.
To facilitate business actors in halal certification of their products, LPPOM opens a discussion room through Customer Care services at Call Center 14056 or WhatsApp 0811-1148-696. In addition, business actors can also explore the flow and process of halal certification by attending the Introduction to Halal Certification (PSH) class, which is held routinely every week https://halalmui.org/pengenalan-sertifikasi-halal/. (YN)
