Kawaguchiko,  Japan — As one of the countries with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia pays great attention to the application of Islamic jurisprudence and laws in various aspects of life. One of these efforts is ensuring the welfare of the Muslim community through guaranteeing the halal status of products and services consumed or used in daily life. For more than 25 years, the halal certification system in Indonesia was managed exclusively by the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI). However, since the enactment of Indonesian Law No. 33 of 2014 regarding Halal Product Assurance, this authority has officially transferred to the Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH). This change of authority naturally raises various questions:

“What is the difference between MUI and BPJPH?”

“Which of these two institutions has more authority in managing halal certification in Indonesia?”

To answer these questions, it is necessary to discuss the origins of both institutions first in order to understand their respective roles and authorities in the halal certification process.

MUI As the Pillar of Halal Certification in Indonesia

Majelis Ulama Indonesia, better known by the acronym MUI, is an association of cleric and Muslim scholars throughout Indonesia that serves as an institution providing religious guidance to Muslim communities. Established on July 26, 1975, MUI serves as a deliberative forum that bridges the relationship between the Muslim community and the government by issuing fatwas and religious recommendations related to government policies on issues concerning the interests of Muslims. In establishing regulations related to Islamic laws, MUI functions as an independent social organization that is neutral and not affiliated with any political faction in Indonesia.

In addition to playing a direct role in establishing fatwas in Indonesia, MUI is also responsible for overseeing the standardization of halal products and services circulating among the community. This was demonstrated by the establishment of LPPOM MUI, Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics of the Majelis Ulama Indonesia, in 1989. This institution was formed in response to the concerns of the Muslim community regarding the halal status of products on the market. LPPOM MUI was then authorized to issue halal certification for food products, medicines, and cosmetics that meet halal standards according to Islamic law. As times have evolved, the scope of LPPOM MUI’s role has expanded not only restricted to consumer products but also to various services such as restaurants, hotels, and public facilities that provide halal products. The existence of this institution provides halal assurance for the Indonesian Muslim community and increases the competitiveness of Indonesian products in the global market, especially in countries with Muslim-majority populations.

BPJPH: A New Chapter in Indonesia’s Halal Certification Process

After more than 25 years under the management of LPPOM MUI, the halal certification process in Indonesia entered a new chapter with a more structured system change. This change began with the enactment of Law No. 33 of 2014 regarding Halal Product Assurance, which established that halal certification management would no longer be entirely under MUI, but would transfer to the Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH). As a follow-up to this new regulation, BPJPH was officially formed on October 11, 2017, and became operating effectively on October 17, 2019. Unlike MUI, which is categorized as a social community, BPJPH is an official institution under the Ministry of Religious Affairs that takes over the administrative role in the halal certification process for businesses in Indonesia.

Differences between MUI and BPJPH and the Reasons Behind the Transfer in Halal Certification Regulation

The massive change in the halal certification administration process in Indonesia does not entirely eliminate MUI’s position in the standardization of halal product assurance in Indonesia. These two institutions have different tasks and functions, but their positions complement each other in ensuring that products circulating in Indonesia in order to meet the established halal standards. BPJPH is responsible for the entire administrative system, including the registration, management, and issuance of halal certificates. Meanwhile, MUI continues to play an important role in announcing fatwas and decisions regarding the halal status of a product through halal fatwa conference. On the other hand, the process of examining materials and production processes of a product will go through an audit by the Lembaga Penjamin Halal (LPH) before being submitted to MUI for a halal fatwa.

The restructuring of the halal certification management system is certainly a strategic government project that has gone through a long-term discussion process. The main reason behind the transfer of halal certification management from LPPOM MUI to BPJPH is to shift the halal certification administration process under the auspices of a government institution with official authority. Through BPJPH management under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, halal certification system in Indonesia obtains stronger legal legitimacy, along with the increasing transparency and accountability, and also expands the international recognition of halal certificates issued by the government. This step is also expected to increase the confidence of business practicioner to ensure that the certification process runs with clearer standards, and to accelerate access for the halal industry in Indonesia to obtain globally recognized halal certification.

The second reason underlying the transfer of halal certification management is to create a clear separation between religious authority and state administration to avoid overlap. This transition allows MUI to focus more on its role as a fatwa institution, tasked with determining the halal status of a product based on Islamic law principles. Meanwhile, the administrative aspects, standardization, and supervision of halal products are transferred to BPJPH, which has broader infrastructure and capacity in handling national-scale regulations. This separation of functions also aims to reduce overlapping authorities, thus creating a more efficient, professional, and structured halal governance system, with clear differentiation of roles between religious authorities and state bureaucratic apparatus.

MUI and BPJPH: Different Institutions But Running on the Same Path

Based on their authority and position in the halal industry in Indonesia, MUI and BPJPH are two institutions with different functions and positions, but complementing each other. BPJPH is an official government institution tasked with regulating halal certification from initial registration to the issuance of halal certification. On the other hand, MUI is a national-level Muslim scholar association authorized to ensure that products circulating in Indonesia truly meet halal standards and Islamic law. The presence of one of these two institutions does not diminish the role of the other. The transfer of halal certification authority from MUI to BPJPH is a strategic step aimed at strengthening the halal assurance system in Indonesia. This step is also in line with Indonesia’s ambition to become a world halal industry center, strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian halal products, and ensure protection for the Muslim community in consuming products that comply with Islamic law principles.

REFERENCES

Muhaimin, R., & Muslimin, J. M. (2023). The Role of the Council of Indonesian Ulama (MUI) to the Development of a Madani Society in the Democratic Landscape of Indonesia. Aspirasi: Jurnal Masalah-masalah Sosial, 14(2), 225-239.

Wibowo, S. (2018). Peran Majelis Ulama Indonesia Pada Masa Orde Baru 1975-1998 Dan Relevansinya Dalam Pembelajaran Sejarah. Candi: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Penelitian Sejarah, 17(1), 80-95.

Warto, W., & Samsuri, S. (2020). Sertifikasi Halal dan Implikasinya bagi Bisnis Produk Halal di Indonesia. Al Maal: Journal of Islamic Economics and Banking, 2(1), 98-112.