The Halal Product Assurance Organising Body (BPJPH) demonstrates its ongoing commitment to advancing the halal ecosystem in Indonesia by serving as a critical partner for this year’s Halal Indonesia International Trade Show (HIITS).
Established in 2017, BPJPH is a government institution responsible for overseeing the assurance of halal products in Indonesia. Its authority on halal product assurance encompasses setting policies, establishing standards, issuing halal certificate, conducting education and publications, accrediting halal inspection agencies, registering halal auditors, conducting halal surveillance, development, and cooperation aimed at strengthening the country’s halal industry.
“The Law No. 33 of 2014 requires products entering Indonesia from other countries to meet halal standards. The law also marks a shift from a previously voluntary halal certification system to a mandatory one,” explained Head of BPJPH Muhammad Aqil Irham.
Unlike Malaysia, where the government holds total authority over halal certification, Indonesia employs a more collaborative approach. BPJPH leads a halal collaborative ecosystem involving Halal Inspection Agency (LPH), Halal Product Process Assistance Agency (LP3H), Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and Halal Product Fatwa Committee.
This collaboration also extends to the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM), the Ministry of Agriculture, and other ministries involved in industry, trade, and export-import regulations.
BPJPH also partners with the National Standardization Agency (BSN) and the National Accreditation Committee (NAC) to develop and align halal standards.
BPJPH’s accreditation guidelines mandate that all LPHs have at least three trained and certified halal auditors. In cases where an LPH does not have its laboratory, it must collaborate with other entities that operate one to meet the accreditation standards.
COLLABORATION WITH MALAYSIA
That being said, laboratory tests are crucial for verifying product compliance with halal standards. To improve this aspect of halal certification, BPJPH organised the Indonesian Halal Laboratory Consortium.
“This consortium brings together more than 14 laboratories from various sectors, including government institutions, the private sector, and universities,” informed Aqil.
Regarding the institution’s collaboration with Malaysia, Aqil explained: “We conduct mutual assessments with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and have signed mutual recognition agreements, allowing Malaysian and Indonesian products to enter and exit both countries seamlessly.”
The importance of collaborative efforts is further highlighted, given that micro and small enterprises (MSEs) need monetary support to finance their certification.
“Given the limitations of government funding for free halal certification, we encourage collaborations to support this initiative,” urged Aqil.
