The Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs emphasizes that halal certification is mandatory for various products, including goods and services. This certification applies to several services, such as slaughtering, processing, storage, packaging, distribution, sales, and serving, particularly for food, beverages, medicine, and cosmetics.
The regulations governing halal certification are outlined in Government Regulation PP 39/2021 and the Head of BPJPH Decree No. 20 of 2023. This decree amends the earlier Head of BPJPH Decree No. 57 of 2021, which defines the criteria for the Halal Product Assurance System.
Halal certification specifically applies to logistics services related to food, beverages, medicine, and cosmetics. This requirement targets third parties that provide logistics services without producing goods. Businesses that manage their own storage, packaging, and distribution do not need to apply for separate logistics service certification, as their product certification encompasses their internal logistics.
BPJPH Head Muhammad Aqil Irham addresses a common misunderstanding regarding halal certification. He clarifies that vehicles, such as trucks, do not require halal certification. “The regulation mandates halal certification for logistics services, not for transportation vehicles,” Aqil explained in Jakarta on September 5, 2024.
Aqil underscores the importance of product traceability, stating that halal products must meet established standards from production to consumer delivery. He emphasizes the need for halal certification in ensuring that “all aspects of the halal product process must ensure freedom from contamination by non-halal materials,” he added.
While halal, non-halal, and non-halal products can be distributed from the same facility, specific requirements must be adhered to. For fresh or frozen animal products, distribution facilities must remain separate. Furthermore, distribution service providers must ensure there is no cross-contamination during the distribution process. Government Regulation Number 39 of 2021 details the provisions governing the distribution of halal products, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations throughout the distribution, sales, and presentation processes.
