Since the enactment of Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance (JPH), halal certification is no longer an optional choice for many product categories in Indonesia. However, in practice, many business actors from MSMEs to medium enterprises still face halal certification as a mysterious process that consumes time, costs, and effort without a clear understanding of what actually happens at each stage.
This article attempts to unveil the layers of this process not to simplify the complex, but to provide a realistic picture that can help businesses navigate the halal certification journey more prepared and efficiently.
Why Halal Certification is More than Just a Label
The halal label is not just a signal to Muslim consumers; it is a systemic statement about how a product is produced, from raw materials to distribution. In the context of Indonesian regulations, halal certification encompasses the verification of the entire process chain: selection and procurement of raw materials, production processes, packaging, storage, and transportation.
This means that halal certification is not a one-time activity; it is an ongoing operational commitment that requires a structured management system, documented SOPs, and regular internal audit mechanisms. Businesses that understand this from the outset will be far better prepared to face the certification process and maintain it once obtained.
Applicable Regulations: BPJPH and Its Ecosystem
The Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) under the Ministry of Religious Affairs is the central authority in Indonesia's halal certification system. However, its ecosystem is more complex: Halal Inspection Institutions (LPH) conduct field audits, while the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issues halal fatwas for certain products that require more in-depth studies.
Since 2021, Indonesia has also implemented a phased certification obligation based on product categories and business scales. MSMEs can utilize the Self-Declare pathway through simpler halal assistance, while products with higher risks or complex production processes must go through the regular pathway with accredited LPH.
Building an Effective Halal Management System
The core of sustainable halal certification is the Halal Assurance System (SJH), a set of policies, procedures, and controls that ensure the halal status of products is maintained at all times. A good SJH is not a thick document stored in a drawer, but a living system reflected in daily operational practices.
- Raw material verification ensures that each material has a documented halal status from verified suppliers.
- Contamination risk management identifies critical points in the production process where cross-contamination may occur.
- Regular internal audits are self-checking mechanisms that ensure halal SOPs are genuinely implemented, not just written on paper.
Halal Audit Process: What Auditors Check
When halal auditors from LPH come to conduct inspections, they do not merely look at the list of raw materials. A comprehensive halal audit includes interviews with key personnel, direct observation of the production process, examination of purchase documents for materials, verification of storage conditions, and evaluation of sanitation procedures.
Common findings that often lead to delays or rejections of certification include: raw materials lacking halal certificates from suppliers, shared facility production processes without documented cleaning procedures, and inconsistencies between listed formulas and actual production practices. Knowing this in advance is far more efficient than facing it during the audit.
Halal Certification as a Competitive Advantage
Beyond regulatory obligations, halal certification is a strategic investment. The global halal market is projected to exceed USD 3 trillion in the coming years, with Indonesia as one of the largest halal consumers and producers in the world. Credible halal certification opens doors to Muslim export markets, enhances domestic consumer trust, and serves as a real differentiator in the modern retail segment.
Businesses that build halal certification capabilities internally, rather than merely meeting minimum requirements, will be far more agile in responding to regulatory changes and new market opportunities.
Master the Halal Certification Process from Within
For businesses and professionals who want to truly understand and competently manage the halal certification process, Taalenta presents the Halal Certification Training class with Mohamad Awaludin, S.Si., M.T.Pn., Independent Halal Auditor at the Ministry of Trade, with a Master's degree in Food Technology from IPB University and expertise in ISO 17025, ISO 22000, HACCP, and FSSC 22000.
References:
- Knaflic, C.N. – Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide → storytellingwithdata.com
- Harvard Business Review – How to Tell a Story with Data → hbr.org
- Tableau – Best Practices for Effective Data Visualization → tableau.com