Source: Antara News

JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) has officially recognized Lithuania’s World Halal Trust (WHT) as an authorized foreign halal certification institution, marking a significant expansion in international halal cooperation. The accreditation ceremony, held in Jakarta on Tuesday, represents Indonesia’s continued efforts to strengthen global halal standards and facilitate international trade in Shariah-compliant products.

Expanding Indonesia’s International Halal Network

The accreditation certificate was formally presented by BPJPH Director Ahmad Haikal Hasan to WHT representative Farouk during the Jakarta ceremony. This recognition establishes the World Halal Trust as a foreign halal institution (LHLN) with official authority to conduct halal certification processes within Lithuania under Indonesian standards.

According to Hasan, the certification followed a comprehensive evaluation process conducted by a multi-sectoral assessment team. The rigorous accreditation procedure ensures that foreign institutions meet Indonesia’s stringent halal assurance requirements before receiving official recognition.

“This initiative represents our ongoing commitment to expanding international partnerships that guarantee the halal integrity of products entering, circulating, and being traded within Indonesia,” Hasan explained during the certificate presentation ceremony.

Strategic Importance of International Halal Cooperation

The accreditation of Lithuania’s World Halal Trust reflects Indonesia’s broader strategy to establish a comprehensive global network of recognized halal certification bodies. This approach aims to streamline international trade while maintaining strict adherence to Islamic dietary and product standards.

Hasan emphasized that this recognition extends beyond mere administrative procedures, representing a mutual commitment to maintaining globally recognized and trusted halal standards. The partnership demonstrates how international cooperation can effectively bridge different markets while preserving religious and cultural authenticity.

The BPJPH leader stressed the agency’s openness to collaborating with various international stakeholders, provided that such partnerships align with Indonesia’s established halal product assurance requirements. This selective approach ensures that international recognition does not compromise the integrity of Indonesia’s halal certification system.

Facilitating European Market Access

The recognition of Lithuania’s World Halal Trust holds particular significance for trade relations between Indonesia and European markets. As a member of the European Union, Lithuania can serve as a strategic gateway for halal-certified products seeking broader European distribution.

This accreditation enables Lithuanian companies to obtain halal certification that will be recognized in Indonesia, potentially facilitating increased trade flows between the two regions. For Indonesian exporters, having a recognized certification body in Europe can simplify market entry processes and reduce administrative barriers.

The timing of this accreditation coincides with recent discussions between BPJPH officials and European Union delegations regarding coordination on halal policy developments. These ongoing dialogues suggest Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening ties with European markets while maintaining its leadership role in global halal standards.

Regulatory Framework and Compliance Standards

The accreditation process ensures that the World Halal Trust operates according to Indonesia’s comprehensive halal assurance framework. This includes adherence to specific certification procedures, documentation requirements, and ongoing compliance monitoring that aligns with Indonesian regulations.

Hasan noted that the agency actively responds to inquiries and provides guidance on halal assurance services to ensure all stakeholders remain well-informed about regulatory updates. This proactive approach helps international partners understand and comply with Indonesia’s evolving halal certification requirements.

The recognition also supports Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification policy, which requires various product categories to obtain halal certification by October 2026. Having internationally recognized certification bodies helps facilitate compliance for foreign manufacturers seeking to access Indonesian markets.

Broader Implications for Global Halal Trade

This accreditation represents part of Indonesia’s larger vision to harmonize global halal standards while maintaining the integrity of Islamic dietary requirements. By establishing formal recognition protocols with international certification bodies, Indonesia is creating a framework that could serve as a model for other Muslim-majority nations.

The partnership with Lithuania’s World Halal Trust demonstrates how countries with smaller Muslim populations can still play significant roles in the global halal economy. This inclusive approach to international cooperation helps expand the reach of halal certification while ensuring consistent standards across different markets.

The recognition also reflects Indonesia’s confidence in its position as a global leader in halal certification, willing to extend its standards internationally while maintaining strict oversight of the certification process.

Supporting Indonesia’s Economic and Religious Objectives

The expansion of international halal cooperation aligns with Indonesia’s broader economic objectives of increasing trade flows while preserving Islamic values in commercial activities. By recognizing foreign certification bodies, Indonesia can facilitate increased imports of halal-compliant products while ensuring these products meet domestic religious requirements.

This approach also supports Indonesian exporters by providing them with recognized certification options in key international markets. The reciprocal nature of such agreements can help Indonesian companies expand their global reach while maintaining credibility in foreign markets.

The BPJPH’s proactive stance in international cooperation demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to leading global discussions on halal standards harmonization, positioning the country as both a regulatory authority and a facilitator of international halal trade.

Future Prospects for International Halal Partnerships

The accreditation of Lithuania’s World Halal Trust likely represents the beginning of expanded international recognition programs. As global demand for halal-certified products continues growing, Indonesia’s willingness to work with international partners positions the country strategically in the evolving global halal economy.

This partnership model could be replicated with other countries and certification bodies, creating a comprehensive international network that maintains consistent standards while facilitating trade. Such expansion would strengthen Indonesia’s role as the central authority in global halal certification while supporting international market development.

The success of this Lithuanian partnership may encourage other European and international certification bodies to seek similar recognition from Indonesia, further expanding the reach and influence of Indonesian halal standards globally.

Conclusion

The official recognition of Lithuania’s World Halal Trust by Indonesia’s BPJPH represents a significant milestone in international halal cooperation. This partnership demonstrates how countries can work together to maintain religious authenticity while facilitating global trade in Shariah-compliant products.

As Indonesia continues expanding its network of recognized international certification bodies, the country strengthens its position as the global leader in halal standards while creating opportunities for increased international trade. The Lithuanian partnership serves as a model for how such cooperation can benefit all parties while maintaining the integrity of halal certification processes.

Original article:

antaranews.com. (n.d.). Lithuania’s World Halal Trust gets BPJPH accreditation. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://en.antaranews.com/news/368445/lithuanias-world-halal-trust-gets-bpjph-accreditation