Monday, 03 August 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia has a responsibility to establish a strong, credible, and trusted system to ensure halal-compliant products. The implementation of mandatory halal certification starting on October 18, 2026, should not merely be viewed as compliance with regulatory requirements, but as a manifestation of the government's role in providing security, protection, certainty, and public confidence regarding products circulating in the market.
This policy is also closely linked to Islamic teachings. Allah SWT states in the Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah verse 168, that people should consume only what is halal and thayyib — meaning not only legally permissible but also good, safe, clean, and beneficial for society. Therefore, ensuring halal-compliant products must be understood as part of efforts to strengthen both quality standards and public trust.This regulation is not a sudden policy measure, but rather part of a gradual implementation process designed to provide sufficient time for the government and businesses to prepare and adapt.
LAPK views mandatory halal certification as an instrument for consumer protection, not merely an administrative requirement. The halal status of a product depends not only on its raw materials but also on the entire supply and production chain — including manufacturing, processing, storage, packaging, distribution, and product presentation.Another challenge is balancing the acceleration of certification with the large number of products and businesses required to comply. According to BPJPH data, approximately 3.9 million halal certificates had been issued by May 2026, covering more than 12.7 million certified products.
This achievement deserves appreciation; however, it should not cause the government and businesses to become complacent. Given the enormous number of products and business actors involved, accelerating certification and ensuring equal access remain major priorities.The future challenge is not only increasing the number of certificates issued but also ensuring that small businesses and business actors in various regions can access the certification process and that no gap emerges between legal requirements and practical readiness.
In this regard, LAPK emphasizes the continued need for more intensive education regarding mandatory halal certification. The approaching deadline should be accompanied by broader, structured, and regionally distributed information campaigns.
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM), which often have limited access to information and assistance, must receive greater attention. They need to understand which products require certification, how the application process works, what requirements must be fulfilled, and the consequences of failing to comply.The government, BPJPH, and regional administrations must therefore strengthen assistance programs and ensure that the certification process is accessible, transparent, and easy to understand. The state should not only be present during monitoring and enforcement but must also play an active role in providing information, preparation, and support from the beginning.
The success of this policy should not be measured solely by the number of certificates issued, but by how well businesses understand their obligations and sustainably implement halal standards.Businesses themselves must also take proactive steps. LAPK encourages all companies with products subject to certification requirements to begin the process early and not wait until shortly before October 18, 2026. Early preparation will allow businesses to meet all requirements, adjust production processes, and obtain necessary support.
Halal certification should not be viewed solely as a regulatory burden. Compliance with halal standards can increase consumer confidence, strengthen product reputation, create new market opportunities, and improve business competitiveness.For UMKM, certification can become a long-term investment in consumer trust and market access. Considering Indonesia's large Muslim population and the growing potential of the halal industry, Indonesia should not only become a market for halal products but also develop into a leading producer of high-quality and globally competitive halal products.
Therefore, LAPK calls on the government, BPJPH, regional authorities, support organizations, and all stakeholders to accelerate information dissemination, expand assistance programs, strengthen monitoring, and improve access to certification before October 18, 2026.The success of mandatory halal certification will ultimately not be determined solely by the number of certificates issued, but by the government's ability to provide public security, support businesses in meeting standards, and ensure that the entire production chain upholds the principles of halal and thayyib.
This policy should therefore be seen as an important step toward strengthening consumer protection and building a high-quality, trustworthy, and internationally competitive halal industry in Indonesia.By:Muhammad Zein Azhary Wajdi Lubis, S.H., M.Kn
The author is Secretary of the Lembaga Advokasi Penyelesaian Konsumen (LAPK)
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