Indonesia’s Halal Certification Compliance Deadline: What Is Changing?

This blog was originally posted on 22nd October, 2026. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.

AUTHORED BY Marta Kosiak, Regulatory Compliance Specialist, ADHERENT

---

Key Insight

Indonesia is implementing a mandatory Halal Product Assurance framework that shifts halal compliance from a voluntary standard to a statutory requirement. Effective 18 October 2026, businesses producing, importing, or distributing cosmetics, health products, textiles, chemical items, and Class A medical devices must secure halal certification or clearly label non-halal items under strict BPJPH guidelines. Failure to comply can result in administrative sanctions including written warnings, fines, certificate revocation, and product withdrawals.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• How Did It All Begin?
• What Is the Scope of Halal Certification and What Products Require It?
• What Is Changing Now? 
• How Does the Halal Certification Process Work?
• What If a Product Is Not Halal?
• What Sanctions Can Businesses Face for Non-Compliance?
• Looking Beyond October 2026
• Conclusion

Introduction

Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, is currently executing one of the most significant regulatory shifts in the Indonesian consumer market: the mandatory Halal Product Assurance framework. It is an ambitious transformation of supply-chain regulation, with a phased rollout designed to transition an entire national economy from a voluntary religious standard to a legally binding state requirement. The implications of this reform extend beyond food – depending on the product category, businesses may need to obtain halal certificates, verify the certification status of imported goods, ensure that labels meet Indonesian requirements, maintain traceability and production controls, and prepare for regulatory inspections and potential sanctions.

How Did It All Begin?

Indonesia’s halal certification framework did not emerge overnight. It has evolved from a consumer-protection system focused primarily on food into a statutory framework covering a much broader range of goods and services, and its beginnings date back to 1989, when the Indonesian Ulema Council established a food, drug and cosmetics assessment body. 

In September 2014 the President of Indonesia enacted Law No. 33 on Halal Products Assurance which established the legal framework now being implemented, and following the adoption of this Law, the Government Regulation No. 39 of 2021 on Implementation of Halal Product Assurance (which was subsequently replaced by Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024 on Implementation of Halal Product Assurance) provided the detailed phased deadlines for additional product categories.

What Is the Scope of Halal Certification and What Products Require It?

While historically focused on meat and packaged food, modern halal certification covers any consumer product in which ingredients, processing aids, or manufacturing processes may raise halal-compliance concerns:

• Swine and pork derivatives (gelatin, fatty acids, emulsifiers, enzymes, collagen);
• Blood (plasma and serum proteins, hemoglobin and iron supplements);
• Non-halal animals and improperly slaughtered meat;
• Alcohol, intoxicants, and fermentation byproducts (alcoholic drinks, industrial ethanol);
• Najis (impure substances and cross-contamination – a product containing 100% permissible ingredients can still be classified as non-halal if it comes into contact with najis during manufacturing, storage, or transport);
• Human body parts and biological derivatives (L-cysteine, placental extracts and stem cells).

The reform introduced phased deadlines for mandatory halal certification across a wide range of product categories, across many industries. This list includes, but is not limited to: food and beverage products, slaughtered products and slaughtering services, food raw materials, food additives and processing aids, cosmetics, chemical products, genetically engineered products, traditional and natural medicines, quasi-medicines, health supplements, clothing and accessories, household health supplies, household equipment, worship equipment, stationery, office supplies, over the counter medicines, and medical devices.

What Is Changing?

18 Oc18 October 2026 was originally set to mark a critical regulatory milestone – the end of the transitional period for mandatory halal certification for several product categories. Under the initial framework, businesses manufacturing, distributing, or importing cosmetics, chemical products, genetically modified products, clothing, headwear, accessories, household health supplies, household appliances and medical devices of risk class A, would have been required to secure halal certification for their products by this date.

However, just before the new requirements were supposed to kick in, on 16 October 2026 Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs announced a major regulatory update which extended by two years the compliance deadline for mandatory halal certification. Following feedback from business and industry associations regarding readiness and the vast scope of products involved, on 14 October 2026 the Indonesian Government adopted Regulation No. 40, which amended Regulation No. 42 of 2024 on Implementation of Halal Product Assurance. Under the revised phased rollout, the mandatory compliance deadline for the above product types has been postponed to 18 October 2028. This two-year extension also applies to food and beverage products supplied by micro and small enterprises and imported food products, allowing businesses necessary breathing room to align their supply chains and enabling authorities to finalise mutual recognition arrangements for international certification bodies.

If the certification is granted, this will mean that:

1. The ingredients and materials used in the production have been assessed against the applicable halal criteria, including consideration of the source of animal-derived ingredients and other materials that may raise halal concerns;
2. The production process itself complies with halal requirements, including controls designed to prevent contamination by prohibited materials;
3. Handling and storage are appropriately controlled and appropriate separation is implemented where necessary.

The critical point in the certification process is that the manufacturer must be able to demonstrate that the ingredients and processes satisfy the applicable requirements, using the documentation and verification appropriate to the circumstances.

How Does the Halal Certification Process Work?

Obtaining halal certification in Indonesia is a more elaborate procedure than simply checking a product’s ingredients. The process also considers the origin of raw materials, manufacturing methods, and the controls in place to prevent contamination with prohibited substances. The precise requirements depend on the product category – the applicable certification procedures will vary.

The authority overlooking Indonesia’s halal certification framework is Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH).

The process generally involves the following steps:

1. Application for halal certification

The business must submit an application through the applicable BPJPH system and provide the required information about the business, the products, production facilities, and halal compliance arrangements. The documentation required may vary depending on the nature and complexity of the products concerned.

2. Verification of ingredients and supporting documentation

The business must identify the ingredients, raw materials, and processing aids used in its products and provide the required supporting documentation – this may include supplier declarations, ingredient specifications, and relevant halal certificates. 

Particular attention may be necessary for animal-derived ingredients, biological materials, and substances whose origin or processing method could affect their halal status.

3. Assessment of the production process

The assessment extends beyond the final product to the relevant stages of manufacturing and handling. Businesses may need to demonstrate that production processes, equipment, storage arrangements, and handling procedures prevent contamination with prohibited substances.

4. Halal examination and verification

The application undergoes the examination and verification procedures applicable to the product and certification route. This may involve an assessment by an authorised Halal Inspection Agency, including a review of supporting documentation and, where required, an inspection or audit of the production facilities.

Certain businesses (micro and small enterprises) or products may qualify for a specific self-declaration procedure, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria. However, this route should not be assumed to be available to every business or product category.

5. Issuance of the halal certificate

Following completion of the assessment and the required determination of halal status, BPJPH issues the halal certificate where the requirements have been satisfied. Businesses should verify that the certificate covers the relevant products and that all applicable administrative requirements have been completed.

6. Maintaining certification and ongoing compliance

Halal compliance does not end when a certificate is issued. Businesses must maintain appropriate records and controls and assess changes to ingredients, suppliers, formulations, and manufacturing processes to determine whether notification, reassessment, or certificate updates are required.

For foreign manufacturers and importers, additional considerations may apply, including the recognition or registration of foreign halal certificates and the documentation required for products entering the Indonesian market.

It is crucial for manufacturers, distributors and importers to understand these steps, as it will help them identify potential gaps in compliance prior to application submission. 

It is also important to keep in mind that their compliance must continue past the issue of the halal certificate. Even small post-certification changes can lead to sanctions and disruption in operations. 

What If a Product Is Not Halal?

The existence of halal certification framework does not mean that every product must be halal. In Indonesia, a non-halal product is not automatically in breach of national halal certification rules simply because it is non-halal. Such products may generally still be marketed, provided they comply with the applicable regulations and are clearly identified as non-halal.

Regulation No. 3 of 2026 issued by the Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency regulates the form and procedures for displaying non-halal information. The Regulation also establishes two different labels to be applied to products; products (other than pig-derived food and beverages) certified as non-halal must carry the mark that reads “NON HALAL” in a red rectangular box on a white background.

The marking must be placed on the outermost packaging received by the consumer, in a manner that allows consumers to identify it easily. It must be prominent, legible, and durable.

What Sanctions Can Businesses Face for Non-Compliance?

Under the new framework, Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH) can impose administrative sanctions depending on the type of violation, the responsible party, and whether the business implements corrective actions within the prescribed period. Possible sanctions for businesses include written warnings, administrative fines, revocation of halal certificates, and withdrawal of products from circulation.

Even if initially the product obtains the necessary certification, actions such as changes to ingredients or manufacturing processes without complying with applicable notification, verification, or certificate-amendment requirements can trigger sanctions.

Looking Beyond October 2026

The next phase begins on 18 October 2029 with over-the-counter medicines and medical devices of risk class B requiring mandatory halal certification. And 5 years later, on 18 October 2034, medical devices of risk class C will become a part of the mandatory certification scheme. Class D medical devices have to comply with the certification requirements by 18 October 2039. 

The staggered implementation was put in place to maintain critical supply integrity, and to allow the producers, distributors and importers of medical devices to prepare accordingly – since unlike standard food items, those products often involve very intricate global supply chains and tracing components back to their raw origins may require extensive engineering and compliance work.

Conclusion

With Indonesia’s halal certification deadline approaching, businesses should act now to assess their obligations, address compliance gaps, and ensure their products meet the applicable requirements. By adopting a proactive compliance strategy and staying informed of BPJPH regulations, companies can minimise disruption, protect their market access, and position themselves for long-term success in Indonesia.

FAQ

• What happens on 18 October 2026 regarding Indonesia’s halal certification framework?
  Starting 18 October 2026, businesses that manufacture, distribute, or import cosmetics and personal care products, health products (such as natural medicines, quasi-medicines, supplements), specified consumer goods and textiles, chemical products, or class A medical devices in Indonesia are required to provide Halal certification for their products.
• Can non-halal products still be sold in Indonesia after the deadline?
  Yes. A non-halal product is not automatically in breach of the rules simply because it is non-halal. It can generally still be sold provided it complies with applicable regulations and is clearly identified as non-halal on its packaging according to BPJPH Regulation No. 3 of 2026.
• How must non-halal products be labelled under the regulation?
  Under BPJPH Regulation No. 3 of 2026, non-halal products (apart from pig-derived food and beverages) must carry a mark reading “NON HALAL” in a red rectangular box on a white background. This marking must be placed on the outermost packaging received by the consumer in a prominent, legible, and durable manner.
• What penalties or sanctions can businesses face for non-compliance?
  The Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH) can impose administrative sanctions including written warnings, administrative fines, revocation of halal certificates, and withdrawal of products from circulation. Sanctions can also be triggered by unapproved changes to ingredients or manufacturing processes after a certificate is obtained.

See Adherent in Action

Discover how agentic AI is reshaping product compliance for global enterprises.

BOOK A DEMO