The Ministry of Religious Affairs and various related parties have held the 2024 Mandatory Halal Certification Campaign at more than 1,000 points throughout Indonesia. This initiative was initiated by the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) and aims to remind the importance of halal certification which will officially take effect from 17 October 2024.
The Head of BPJPH, M. Aqil Irham, explained that halal certification obligations will begin on October 17, 2024 for food products, beverages, slaughter products and slaughter services, raw materials, food additives, and auxiliary materials used in the production of food and beverages.
In an effort to ensure the success of the first phase of the implementation of this halal certification obligation, the government provides convenience in the halal certification registration process by launching a free halal certification program called “Sehati”. This program offers one million quotas for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) through a self-declare scheme.
“This is a step we are taking to accelerate the implementation of halal certification,” said M. Aqil Irham, as quoted from the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ official website on Sunday (19/3/2023).
The Ministry of Religious Affairs also sets an example of compliance with this program by requiring halal certification for all products and canteens within its work units. This step is expected to be an example for the wider community.
“Welcoming Ramadan 1444 Hijriyah, I invite all business actors to register food products, beverages, slaughter services and slaughter products, raw materials, food additives, and auxiliary materials for food and beverage products to obtain halal certification before October 17, 2024,” he added.
“If until October 17, 2024 the product has not received halal certification, it will be subject to sanctions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” said M. Aqil Irham.
This halal certification obligation applies to all business actors, be it micro, small, medium or large businesses. Especially for micro and small businesses, M. Aqil Irham invited them to take advantage of the free halal certification facilities provided by the Ministry of Religion through BPJPH, as well as by other Ministries / Institutions, and Regional Governments.
“Let us together realize Indonesia as the number one producer of halal products in the world with the spirit of ‘Halal Indonesia for the World Community’. Halal is good, halal is healthy, and halal brings blessings,” he said.
M. Aqil Irham also explained that the Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has made halal certification one of the Ministry of Religion’s priority programs. This can be seen from the text of the Minister of Religion’s speech which was read at 1,000 campaign points.
“This halal certification obligation is the government’s commitment to provide comfort, security, safety, and certainty of the availability of halal products for the community,” he said.
“Today’s celebration is a good start for Indonesia in achieving success as the center of the world’s halal industry,” he continued.
The 2024 Mandatory Halal Certification Campaign involves various halal product assurance stakeholders, from the central to the regional level. Provincial Halal Task Forces throughout Indonesia, Regional Office of the Provincial Ministry of Religion, Regency / City Kankemenag, Regional Government, Halal Product Process Assistance Institution (LP3H), Halal Examining Institution (LPH), and various business associations take an active role in this campaign.
“Activities that involve all levels of society in more than 1,000 locations in Indonesia aim to convey important messages about the obligation of halal certification which will be enforced in the first phase, starting October 2024,” said M. Aqil Irham.
