Jakarta – Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya has refuted reports suggesting US products would be exempt from halal certification requirements for import into Indonesia. The statement, released Sunday by the Cabinet Secretariat in Jakarta, clarifies that all goods requiring halal certification must display an official halal label.
Halal Certification Remains Mandatory
According to Teddy, the required halal label can be issued by either a halal body based in the US or by Indonesian authorities. He emphasized that halal certification remains mandatory for all food and beverage products sold in Indonesia, with no exceptions for US imports.
The Indonesian authority responsible for halal certification is the Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal, or BPJPH. Beyond food and beverage, cosmetics and medical devices too face strict regulations, requiring distribution permits and certification from the Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan, often referred to as BPOM, before entering the Indonesian market.
US-Indonesia Trade Agreement
Teddy stated that Indonesia and the US maintain a Mutual Recognition Agreement regarding halal standards, allowing for reciprocal recognition of certifications without compromising regulatory standards in either country. This clarification comes following reports that Indonesia might ease halal requirements for US goods after a reciprocal tariff agreement was signed by President Prabowo Subianto and US President Donald Trump in Washington.
Annex III, Article 2.9 of the agreement references potential adjustments to halal regulations to ease exports of cosmetics, medical devices, and other US goods, with further technical discussions planned at the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What products require halal certification in Indonesia?
Food and beverage products sold in Indonesia are required to be halal-certified. Cosmetics and medical devices also require certification from BPOM before they can be sold in the domestic market.
Where can US companies obtain halal certification?
US-based organizations such as Halal Transactions of Omaha and the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America can issue halal certificates.
What is Indonesia’s role in recognizing US halal certifications?
Indonesia and the US have a Mutual Recognition Agreement on halal standards, allowing for reciprocal recognition of certification without lowering regulatory or supervisory benchmarks in either country.
How might these ongoing discussions at the Office of the United States Trade Representative shape future trade dynamics between the two nations?