Indonesia Reaffirms Halal Certification Requirement for U.S. Imports
- 23 Feb 2026 21:06 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has reaffirmed that all imported products, including those from the United States, must comply with the country’s halal certification requirements. The Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) stressed that reciprocal cooperation agreements do not override Indonesia’s legal mandate on halal labeling.
BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said in Jakarta on Monday, February 23, 2026, that the obligation is rooted in Law No. 33/2014 on Halal Product Assurance and its implementing regulations.
“All products categorized as mandatory halal that enter, circulate, and are traded in Indonesia, including imports from the United States and other countries, must meet halal certification requirements, whether certified abroad or in Indonesia,” he explained, as quoted by Antara.
Haikal clarified that reciprocal agreements between Indonesia and the U.S. do not eliminate the halal certification and labeling obligations.
“Reciprocal cooperation is not the removal of halal requirements. Every product subject to halal rules and entering Indonesia must be certified and carry a halal label in accordance with national regulations,” he said, adding that the state’s role is to protect consumers while enhancing product competitiveness.
For non-halal products, he noted, certification is not required, but clear labeling as “non-halal” remains mandatory.
Haikal emphasized that mutual recognition agreements (MRA) strengthen global halal governance without diminishing Indonesia’s regulatory sovereignty.
Under this mechanism, BPJPH recognizes halal standards issued by foreign halal bodies (LHLN) that have passed rigorous assessment. This streamlines procedures by allowing recognition of certificates from approved institutions rather than removing the obligation altogether.
Currently, five U.S.-based halal certification bodies have established recognition agreements with BPJPH: the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), American Halal Foundation (AHF), Islamic Services of America (ISA), Halal Transactions, Inc./Halal Transactions of Omaha (HTO), and the Islamic Society of Washington Area (ISWA) through its Halal Certification Department.
BPJPH also reaffirmed its commitment to consumer protection and consistent enforcement of the mandatory halal certification policy, which will take full effect in October 2026, including for imported products. ***
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