In his remarks, Head of the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Body (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan, emphasized that the mandatory halal policy will be implemented starting October 18, 2026, and will not be delayed. According to him, this policy is part of the long journey of developing Indonesia’s halal product assurance system, which began during the era of President Soeharto and has been strengthened under subsequent leaderships—including during the presidencies of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Joko Widodo, and continuing into the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, under whom BPJPH has been institutionally strengthened and halal certification has been enforced as mandatory.
BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan also emphasized that halal is not merely related to religious aspects, but also constitutes an important component of national economic strategy and the development of the global halal industry—particularly in the food and beverage sector. The use of a halal label on halal-certified products and a "non-halal" designation on non-halal products serves to fairly protect consumers and provide clarity and certainty for all parties according to their respective choices.
BPJPH Deputy for Partnerships and Standardization, Abd Syakur, in his remarks, outlined the progress of international cooperation in Indonesia’s halal product assurance system. He stated that Indonesia has established Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with more than 114 foreign halal institutions, supported by a domestic network of Halal Inspection Agencies (LPH). This cooperation is expected to streamline the halal certification process for imported products and strengthen international recognition of Indonesia’s halal product assurance system.
Arief Wibisono, Secretary of the Directorate General of National Export Development at the Ministry of Trade, emphasized the critical role of Indonesian trade representatives abroad as the frontliners in promoting Indonesian halal products in the global market. He also invited all trade representatives to participate in Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, to be held in October 2026, and encouraged them to actively socialize Indonesia’s halal policy among their respective host-country trade partners.
During the session on the implementation of mandatory halal certification, BPJPH Director of Halal Standardization Heny Rusmiyati explained the rollout of the mandatory halal certification policy, set to begin on October 18, 2026. The event continued with an interactive discussion involving participants, particularly Indonesian trade representatives stationed overseas.
