Indonesia urges firms to apply for halal permits before deadline

Denpasar (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) has urged companies to secure halal certification for their products ahead of a sweeping mandatory policy set to take effect on Oct. 18, 2026.

The absolute mandate, enforced under the country's Halal Product Guarantee Law and a subsequent 2024 government regulation, expands the state's oversight to ensure consumers have access to verified, safe, and traceable goods.

"This absolute obligation covers several product types as stipulated in the regulation," BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said in a statement on Wednesday.

The October 2026 deadline marks a massive expansion of Indonesia's phased halal push, which initially focused on food and beverage products from medium and large enterprises in late 2024.

The upcoming policy broadens that scope significantly, pulling in micro and small local enterprises alongside foreign and imported products sold within Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Officials warned that non-compliance after the deadline will trigger strict administrative sanctions.

Depending on the severity of the violation, companies could face written warnings, steep administrative fines, the revocation of existing certificates, or full product recalls from the Indonesian market.

Hasan urged businesses to utilize the remaining months to integrate into the framework, emphasizing that certification has transcended traditional religious compliance to become a global commercial benchmark.

"Today, halal is no longer just a necessity for Muslims," Hasan said. "Halal has become a universally accepted and globally recognized standard of quality, safety, transparency, traceability, and trustworthiness."

Translator: Arnidhya Nur Zhafira, Cindy Frishanti Octavia

Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono

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