JAKARTA – The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has called on the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) to prepare infrastructure and legal enforcement mechanisms seriously as the country approaches the mandatory halal certification deadline in October 2026.

No More Extensions, Says MUI

MUI emphasizes that this deadline must serve as the final implementation date for mandatory halal certification as mandated by Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance, without any further relaxation or postponement.

“This law was enacted in 2014 and provided a five-year tolerance period until 2019. After that, there were still dispensations for business operators. However, these dispensations fundamentally harm consumer rights,” said Asrorun Niam Sholeh, Chairman of MUI’s Fatwa Division, in Jakarta on Monday.

A History of Repeated Postponements

Asrorun Niam noted that mandatory halal certification requirements have been delayed multiple times, starting from the initial 2019 target, then 2024, and now extended again to 2026. This situation has exceeded reasonable tolerance limits.

He acknowledged that relaxation of halal certification requirements was granted due to concerns about business operators’ readiness and infrastructure capacity. However, these delays have resulted in postponing the fulfillment of public rights as consumers, particularly for the Muslim community.

“By delaying this obligation, we are delaying citizens’ rights. The right to halal products is part of society’s constitutional rights. We must not allow interests claiming ‘not ready yet’ to sacrifice hundreds of millions of consumers,” he stated.

MUI’s Expectations for Government Action

MUI hopes the government will not grant further relaxation and will ensure infrastructure readiness, service systems, and law enforcement are implemented collaboratively with strong commitment.

“The state must be present to maintain balance, not merely accommodating one side while sacrificing the other. October 2026 must be the final deadline and prepared seriously,” he emphasized.

BPJPH Strengthens Cross-Ministry Collaboration

Meanwhile, BPJPH together with the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) is finalizing preparations for implementing the Mandatory Halal 2026 policy.

“Synergy between BPJPH and the Ministry of Industry is one of the keys to ensuring mandatory halal implementation runs effectively without hindering product distribution and public services,” said Ahmad Haikal Hasan, Head of BPJPH.

According to him, the successful implementation of Mandatory Halal 2026 this coming October heavily depends on cross-ministry and agency synergy, including in product supervision and system harmonization.

Strategic Partnerships for Halal Ecosystem

BPJPH has been expanding strategic collaborations to strengthen the halal ecosystem, including partnerships with:

• Ministry of Health and BPOM (Food and Drug Monitoring Agency): Strengthening synergy ahead of Mandatory Halal 2026
• Ministry of Industry: Finalizing preparations for the mandatory halal policy implementation
• Various Industry Sectors: Including cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, preparing them for the October 2026 deadline

What This Means for Businesses

The mandatory halal certification policy will affect multiple product categories, including:

• Food and beverage products
• Cosmetics and personal care items
• Pharmaceutical products
• Chemical products used in food and cosmetics

Small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that previously received deadline extensions must now ensure their products are certified by October 2026. The government has been providing support and guidance to help businesses, especially MSMEs, meet the certification requirements.

Consumer Rights and Constitutional Obligations

The push for mandatory halal certification stems from the recognition that access to halal products is a constitutional right for Indonesia’s Muslim-majority population. The 2014 law was designed to:

• Protect consumers’ rights to consume halal products
• Provide certainty and legal protection for halal product producers
• Increase the value-added of domestic products
• Strengthen the halal industry ecosystem in Indonesia

Economic Implications

BPJPH has stated that implementing Mandatory Halal 2026 will strengthen economic competitiveness. The policy is also positioned as an effort to realize the government’s Asta Cita (eight aspirations) development program.

Indonesia, as the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has significant potential to become a global halal industry hub. Proper implementation of halal certification can:

• Boost consumer confidence in local products
• Enhance Indonesia’s position in the global halal market
• Create new economic opportunities in the halal certification sector
• Improve product quality and safety standards

The Path Forward

As October 2026 approaches, all stakeholders—government agencies, business operators, certification bodies, and consumer organizations—must work collaboratively to ensure:

1. Infrastructure Readiness: Adequate certification facilities and trained personnel
2. Legal Framework: Clear regulations and enforcement mechanisms
3. Business Support: Guidance and resources for companies, especially MSMEs
4. Public Awareness: Education campaigns about the importance and benefits of halal certification
5. Monitoring Systems: Effective oversight to ensure compliance

Conclusion

The October 2026 deadline represents more than just a regulatory requirement—it embodies the Indonesian government’s commitment to protecting consumer rights while supporting the development of a robust halal industry. With MUI’s firm stance against further delays and BPJPH’s strengthened inter-agency cooperation, stakeholders across Indonesia are now focused on ensuring this critical deadline is met.

For Indonesia’s hundreds of millions of Muslim consumers, mandatory halal certification promises certainty, transparency, and peace of mind in their daily consumption choices. For businesses, it represents both a challenge and an opportunity to participate in the country’s growing halal economy.

The message is clear: October 2026 is the final deadline, and the time for serious preparation is now.

Original Article:

Antara News. (2026, January 12). South Sulawesi fishermen village ships first export to Saudi Arabia.  Retrieved from https://kalsel.antaranews.com/berita/499325/south-sulawesi-fishermen-village-ships-first-export-to-saudi-arabia