As Indonesia moves closer to the full enforcement of Mandatory Halal Certification in 2026, regulatory alignment across key institutions is becoming increasingly decisive. The latest move by the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) to strengthen coordination with the Ministry of Health (MoH) or Kemenkes and the Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) sends a clear signal: halal compliance will be implemented through an integrated, cross-sector regulatory framework—without postponement.
For businesses operating in or entering the Indonesian market, this development marks a critical shift from policy preparation to execution readiness.
Mandatory Halal Is No Longer a Timeline Question
The Indonesian government has reiterated that the mandatory halal obligation, scheduled to take effect in October 2026, is a legal mandate rather than a policy option. There will be no extension or delay, reinforcing the importance of early compliance planning, particularly for sectors under strict health and safety supervision.
The reinforced coordination takes place within a series of inter-ministerial meetings held in January 2026, involving institutions responsible for regulation, supervision, and technical implementation. This approach reflects the government’s intent to ensure that halal requirements are embedded into existing regulatory processes, rather than treated as a standalone certification layer.
Why MoH and BPOM Alignment Matters
The involvement of MoH and BPOM is especially significant for industries such as:
- Food and beverages
- Pharmaceuticals and traditional medicines
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Health-related and consumer products with controlled ingredients
By aligning halal obligations with existing health, safety, and product registration systems, regulators aim to minimize regulatory overlap while strengthening enforcement consistency across the supply chain.
From a business perspective, this means halal certification will increasingly be assessed in parallel with product registration, import licensing, and post-market surveillance.
Regulatory Clarity Through Product Mapping and HS Code Alignment
One of the core objectives of the coordination effort is to harmonize the classification of halal-obligated products, including the alignment of Harmonized System (HS) Codes. This step is crucial for:
- Determining which products fall under mandatory halal requirements
- Providing legal certainty for importers and manufacturers
- Improving inspection and monitoring efficiency
Beyond domestic enforcement, Indonesia’s mandatory halal policy is positioned as part of a broader ambition: to establish Indonesia as a global reference point for halal standards. Achieving this goal depends not only on strict regulation, but also on effective coordination, system readiness, and practical implementation that does not disrupt economic activity or public services.
What Businesses Should Do Now
With regulatory alignment accelerating, companies should no longer ask whether halal certification will be required—but how prepared they are to meet it. Key steps include:
- Conducting early halal gap assessments for products and supply chains
- Aligning ingredient documentation with BPOM and halal requirements
- Preparing internal compliance teams for integrated audits and inspections
- Engaging with experienced regulatory consultants to manage timelines and risk
Mandatory Halal 2026 is no longer a future milestone—it is an operational reality in the making. Businesses that prepare early will gain regulatory certainty, market credibility, and long-term competitiveness in Indonesia’s expanding halal ecosystem.
Source: Based on reporting by Arnidhya Nur Zhafira for Antara News
https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5345857/bpjph-perkuat-sinergi-dengan-kemenkes-bpom-jelang-wajib-halal-2026
