On September 30, 2025, EKONID successfully hosted the Online Roundtable event titled “Upcoming Mandatory Halal Certification for Imported Products: Legal Certainty and Business Opportunities”.
The event was aimed at equipping EKONID’s members and other participants with a comprehensive understanding of Indonesia’s upcoming mandatory halal certification requirement for imported products, in line with Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024 on the Implementation of Halal Product Assurance and other relevant regulations.
The Government of Indonesia has announced that the mandatory halal certification will be conducted in stages, where certain imported products (e.g., food and beverages) will be subject to this obligation starting in October 2026. This development is expected to bring both legal certainty for businesses and new opportunities in the halal market.
The event featured three distinguished speakers: Mr. Ahmad Haikal Hasan, Head of the Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Organizing Body (BPJPH), Mrs. Nurul Khasbullah, Senior Executive at EKONID’s Legal and Investment Consultation Department, and Ms. Norma Andriyani, Head of the Halal Department at PT Bayer Indonesia.
In her presentation, Mrs. Nurul Khasbullah spoke on the theme “Navigating Indonesia’s Halal Regulatory Framework: Legal Requirements for Companies”, where she elaborated on how halal certification requirements may differ across product categories such as food, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Mrs. Khasbullah emphasized the key elements of Indonesia’s halal regulatory framework that international companies must understand to operate compliantly in the Indonesian market. She also outlined the certification process in practice, including the required documentation, inspections, and approvals.
Mr. Ahmad Haikal Hasan followed with a 20-minute presentation and explained BPJPH’s role in ensuring clarity and consistency of halal implementation, particularly for international companies entering the Indonesian market. Mr. Hasan began by redefining the meaning of halal in today’s context. He emphasized that halal is no longer limited to religious dietary rules but has transformed into a global lifestyle symbol—representing health, quality, cleanliness, and modern civilization. Highlighting the growing significance of the global halal market, Mr. Ahmad Haikal Hasan emphasized that the world’s leading producers of halal-certified food are not Muslim-majority countries but rather China, Brazil, and the United States. This, he noted, reflects a powerful reality that halal is no longer confined to religious boundaries. Instead, it has become a universal standard of quality, trust, and business competitiveness.
In closing the discussion, Ms. Norma Andriyani presented an industry-focused perspective on the Challenges and Practices of Halal Certification in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Ms. Andriyani explained how certification requirements apply to pharmaceutical products, detailing the specific laboratory testing and verification protocols companies must undergo. She also highlighted the practical challenges faced by pharmaceutical companies in securing halal certification, and the opportunities that comes alongside it.
The Online Roundtable was attended by representatives from companies in Germany and Indonesia. During the Q&A session, participants engaged in dynamic discussions on key issues such as the recognition of foreign halal organizations, the scope of products and equipment requiring certification, and whether certification obligations extend to suppliers at multiple tiers. Concerns were also raised by the participants regarding the costs and administrative burden of certification for smaller brands and distributors. At the same time, participants sought clarity on the timeline and potential transition periods for the implementation of mandatory halal certification for imported products. The discussion was enriched by contributions from all speakers, with Ms. Nina Sutrisno representing BPJPH on behalf of Mr. Ahmad Haikal Hasan, who actively engaged with the participants to provide practical insights and perspectives.”
EKONID extends its appreciation to Mr. Ahmad Haikal Hasan, Mrs. Nurul Khasbullah, Ms. Norma Andriyani, and Ms. Nina Sutrisno for their invaluable contributions to the event. The organization also thanks all participants whose engagement enriched the discussion and made the event a valuable learning experience.