Indonesia’s importers support mandatory halal certification but warn that postponing the October 2026 deadline to October 2028 creates business uncertainty, urging the government to ensure consistent implementation
Indonesia’s importers support mandatory halal certification for imported goods but have urged the government to maintain policy consistency after postponing the requirement for imported food, beverages, slaughtered products and slaughtering services until October 2028.
Erwin Taufan, Deputy Chairman of the Indonesia Importers’ Association (GINSI) said businesses had been preparing to comply with the rules, which were originally scheduled to take effect on Oct. 18, 2026.
“In principle, we support this mandatory halal policy, especially for imported food and beverage products, as well as items like leather goods and footwear, to ensure that products do not enter the market without their halal status being verified,” Taufan said in a statement on Saturday.
However, the delay raises uncertainty for businesses that have invested in preparations to meet the requirements, he said, urging the government to avoid inconsistent policymaking.
“Despite the preparations made by businesses, it appears that the government itself was not fully prepared, leading to the implementation being pushed back to 2028. This creates uncertainty for the business sector. We urge the government to remain consistent and not be indecisive on this matter,” Taufan said.
GINSI said halal certification was not merely an administrative obligation for businesses but also a mechanism for the state to protect consumers and uphold their right to products that meet applicable halal standards.
Taufan said the government had a responsibility to ensure that halal claims were supported by adequate verification, including checks of documentation, production processes and product compliance, alongside oversight of goods circulating in the domestic market.
The involvement of government institutions is essential to ensure that halal claims can be verified rather than relying solely on declarations made by businesses, he said.
A credible halal assurance and monitoring system would strengthen consumer confidence while providing greater certainty and equal treatment for domestic and imported products, Taufan added.
Govt Adjusts Certification Timetable
The government has revised the implementation schedule for mandatory halal certification, citing the readiness of the national halal ecosystem and feedback from business and industry associations.
Susiwijono Moegiarso, secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, said the original deadline of Oct. 18, 2026, had been extended through amendments to Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024.
The adjustment is intended to give businesses and other stakeholders more time to strengthen the systems and processes needed to implement the requirements, he said in a written statement on Saturday.
The revised timetable also affects several product categories that previously faced deadlines in 2026. These include traditional medicines, quasi-medicines, health supplements, cosmetics, chemical products, genetically engineered products and certain categories of used goods, for which the transition period has been extended to Oct. 17, 2028.
Other categories will retain their existing schedules under Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024. Over-the-counter and limited over-the-counter medicines remain subject to a transition period ending on Oct. 17, 2029, while hard drugs, excluding psychotropic substances, have a deadline of Oct. 17, 2034.
The government will also revise implementing regulations to reflect the amendments and revoke Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) Regulation No. 4 of 2026, which governs conformity assurance for foreign halal products entering Indonesia.
The government has reiterated its commitment to halal product assurance, saying the revised timetable is intended to support effective implementation in line with the readiness of the wider ecosystem.
The changes are also expected to protect consumers, provide businesses with greater regulatory certainty, maintain trade flows and strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesia’s halal industry.
