Indonesia’s National Importers Association (GINSI) has called on the government to intensify public outreach and ensure greater transparency surrounding the upcoming mandatory halal certification for imported and domestic products, set to take full effect in 2026.
While GINSI supports the policy in principle, the group is urging authorities to ramp up communication efforts, particularly around certification procedures, inter-agency coordination, and associated costs.
“Public awareness must be significantly strengthened, especially regarding who bears the cost of halal certification, whether it’s the importer or passed on to consumers,” said Erwin Taufan, Deputy Chairman of GINSI’s Central Executive Board (DPP), on Wednesday.
The regulation, based on Law No. 33 of 2014 and Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024, mandates halal certification for a wide range of goods and services including food, beverages, cosmetics, medicines, and consumer goods. The certification process includes all stages from sourcing and production to distribution and retail.
Taufan warned that without stronger oversight, enforcement gaps could lead to risks in product safety and compliance. He cited a recent case involving imported food trays from the Free Nutritional Meal (MBG) program, which allegedly used pork-derived lubricants during manufacturing.
“The key is tighter supervision from relevant agencies to ensure the integrity of the process and avoid incidents like these,” he said.
Halal Import Reaching $20 Billion per Annum
Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, is positioning itself as a global hub for halal products. According to data from the Ministry of Trade, the country imported approximately $20 billion worth of halal-related products in 2024.
GINSI emphasized that importers fundamentally support the halal certification mandate, citing growing demand in both domestic and international markets.
“From a trade perspective, this is an opportunity, but it must be matched with clear procedures and consistent enforcement,” said Taufan.
GINSI Voices Concrete Mechanism During KNEKS Socialization
On Tuesday, GINSI representatives attended a socialization forum hosted by the National Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (Komite Nasional Ekonomi dan Keuangan Syariah/KNEKS) at the Ministry of Finance, which focused on the technical implementation of halal certification.
Taufan noted that the new regulation will significantly impact the country’s import trade system and called for concrete mechanisms to manage the policy’s economic implications.
The Indonesian government has made halal assurance a strategic priority, expanding certification requirements and supporting the growth of the halal ecosystem through financing, regulatory frameworks, and industrial zoning. Special halal industrial zones are already under development in West Java, Banten, and East Java.
The Halal Product Assurance Law (Law No. 33/2014) defines halal products as goods and services verified as compliant with Islamic law. Certification applies to materials, processing, packaging, storage, and distribution. The implementing regulation, Government Regulation No. 42/2024, outlines the government’s responsibility in administering and supervising the policy through the relevant ministry.
As the 2026 deadline approaches, importers are seeking clarity on the operational and financial impacts of compliance.
“Certainty and transparency are essential, not just for industry players, but also for consumers who rely on these products,” Taufan said.