As a Halal Inspection Body (LPH), which has served the community for halal certification for over 33 years, LPPOM MUI has been educating the business community for a long time to enter the digital world. Services and education about the digital economy for these halal business actors ultimately make it easier for them to adapt to the modern business era.
In terms of halal certification services, for example, since 2012, LPPOM MUI introduced an information technology-based halal certification registration service application, namely Cerol-SS23000. The application, developed by LPPOM MUI, was originally intended to reduce the use of physical documents.
Apart from being huge, physical documents from business actors who wish to apply for halal certification are also prone to be scattered. With the CEROL-SS23000 application, businesses can upload the required documents through the available applications—no need to carry physical copies of records anymore.
The President Director of LPPOM MUI, Ir. Muti Arintawati, M.Si admitted that, although it looks simple, migrating from physical documents to online routes takes work. It takes a relatively long time to educate business actors, especially MSME scale entrepreneurs who need to become more familiar with the technology. “We provide education and training about the important role of technology in business. Now there are many business actors who not only use the CEROL-SS23000 application but also involve the role of technology in their business processes,” said Muti Arintawati. LPPOM MUI also provides customer care services via email, Whatsapp, and telephone hotlines to help serve difficulties in accessing the CEROL-SS23000 application.
Previously, LPPOM MUI also introduced the Halal Resto QR Code, which is useful for information, promotion, and authentication validation of halal-certified products, especially for the restaurant category, which has now been developed for the payment feature for halal restaurants.
In line with technological developments and welcoming the industrial era 4.0, LPPOM MUI presents a breakthrough, namely the CEROL-SS23000 v3.0, on June 27, 2019. CEROL-SS23000 v3.0 answers the challenges of the industrial era 4.0, where this application can further increase effectiveness and work efficiency. Here there are a variety of new features that greatly facilitate the process of registering for halal certification, including an online audit scheduling dashboard, an easy user interface, and an easy search for halal materials/products.
LPPOM MUI’s education for business actors related to CEROL-SS23000 is like bringing a lesson when the COVID-19 pandemic suddenly hit. At that time, all regions of Indonesia were subject to Large Periodic Social Restrictions (PSBB). Business actors have also implemented a work-from-home policy (WFH) to prevent coronavirus transmission. On the other hand, business actors can’t stop their business. Business must go on, likewise, in the case of LPPOM MUI halal certification services.
On this basis, finally, LPPOM MUI implemented the Modified On-Site Audit (MOSA) protocol to ensure that halal certification services continue to run smoothly. LPPOM MUI has also added a communication channel via Zoom for those who need face-to-face communication.
Implementation of the MoSA protocol is separate from the SNI ISO/IEC 17065 reference principles established by the National Accreditation Committee (KAN). This is under the letter issued by KAN number: 004/KAN/04/2020 concerning Special KAN Policies for Certification Bodies, Verification Bodies, and Validation Bodies related to Anticipating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Certification, Verification, and Validation Processes. The results of this MoSA audit can still be accounted for and legally accountable.
The implementation of technology carried out by LPPOM MUI in providing halal inspection services to business actors has indirectly offered education on the importance of technology in business management. As a result, they will easily be able to adjust when they have to enter the new era of the digital economy.
Apart from LPPOM MUI, many government and private institutions have made a major contribution to encouraging the implementation of digital business for business people in Indonesia, which has enormous potential.
The government has continued this effort by providing the Sihalal application for registration of halal certificates online since 2019. PP 39 of 2012, article 70, paragraph 3 also supports online audits. The government also provides a QR code on halal certificates for authenticating halal certificates. We hope that more and more stakeholders will take an active role in developing the national digital economy in the future, especially in the halal sector. Thus, an analysis of the potential and future of the national digital economy is more than just a picture on paper. (***)
