Indonesia's Mandatory Halal Certification: BPJPH Compliance Guide

The World's Largest Halal Market Gets Mandatory Certification

Indonesia, with a population of over 270 million of whom approximately 87% are Muslim, is the world's largest halal consumer market by number of people. Until recently, halal certification in Indonesia was voluntary — administered by MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia), the country's top Islamic scholars council, through its halal certification arm LPPOM MUI. That changed in 2019 with the passage of Law No. 33/2014 on Halal Product Assurance, which mandated halal certification for all food, beverage, and cosmetics products sold in Indonesia.

The enforcement authority shifted from MUI to BPJPH (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal — Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency), a government body under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The transition has been phased, with food and beverage products subject to mandatory certification requirements that took effect in 2024.

What Products Require BPJPH Certification

Under the phased implementation schedule, food and beverage products — including processed foods, beverages, and ready-to-eat products — are now subject to mandatory halal certification for sale in Indonesia. This applies to both domestically produced products and imported products. Products that do not obtain halal certification must be clearly labelled as "not halal" (tidak halal), which is commercially unacceptable for most food products in the Indonesian market.

Cosmetics and pharmaceutical products are on a later implementation timeline. Logistics and restaurant businesses have separate implementation schedules. Manufacturers and importers should verify the current implementation phase applicable to their specific product category with BPJPH or a BPJPH-accredited certification body.

The BPJPH Certification Process

Route 1: Direct BPJPH Application

Indonesian manufacturers can apply directly to BPJPH for halal certification through the SiHalal online application system. The process involves registering on the SiHalal platform, submitting product and facility documentation, undergoing a facility inspection by BPJPH inspectors (Penyelia Halal), and obtaining a fatwa (halal ruling) from MUI before BPJPH issues the certificate. BPJPH has retained MUI's role in the fatwa component of the process, creating a hybrid regulatory structure.

Route 2: BPJPH-Recognised Foreign Certification Body (for Importers)

For imported products, BPJPH recognises a list of foreign halal certification bodies whose certificates are accepted for Indonesian market access. The foreign certification body must have bilateral recognition agreement with BPJPH. JAKIM (Malaysia) and MUI (Indonesia, historical certificates) are the most widely accepted. Other bodies including IFANCA, certain Gulf bodies, and European halal certification bodies have sought BPJPH recognition with varying success.

Exporters should verify that their halal certification body holds current BPJPH recognition before relying on existing certificates for Indonesian market access. This list changes as bilateral agreements are updated. Check the current BPJPH recognised foreign halal certification body list at the BPJPH website or contact BPJPH directly.

Practical Implications for Importers and Exporters

For exporters currently selling into Indonesia with MUI certification, the transition to BPJPH-issued or BPJPH-recognised certificates is the priority. MUI historical certificates issued before the BPJPH transition have had grace periods for transition — confirm the current status of transitional arrangements with your Indonesian importer.

For new exporters entering the Indonesian market, confirm BPJPH recognition of your intended certification body before applying. The cost and time of obtaining certification with a body that lacks BPJPH recognition — then having to recertify — is a significant and avoidable expense.

View our halal certifier directory for certification bodies with confirmed BPJPH recognition and expertise in Indonesian market access.