RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) stressed that the recent trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States does not waive halal certification requirements. All products entering and circulating in Indonesia must still follow the mandate of Law No. 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Guarantees.

“All products in the mandatory halal category that are imported, distributed, and traded in Indonesia must meet certification requirements,” stated BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan as quoted from the agency’s website. This rule applies to products from the United States and all other countries to ensure they follow Indonesian regulations.

Meanwhile, products that are explicitly non-halal are exempt from the halal certification requirement. However, these non-halal products must include a clear statement or label indicating that they are not halal.

Haikal added that mutual recognition in fact strengthens global halal governance without compromising Indonesia's regulatory sovereignty. The Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) is a form of cooperation between BPJPH and Foreign Halal Institutions (LHLN).

This mechanism does not eliminate halal obligations for any company. Instead, it streamlines the procedures by recognizing halal certificates issued by foreign institutions that BPJPH has already approved.

Currently, there are five approved institutions in the United States that have standard recognition agreements with BPJPH. These include the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) and the American Halal Foundation (AHF).

Other recognized groups are Islamic Services of America (ISA), Halal Transactions of Omaha (HTO), and the Islamic Society of Washington Area (ISWA). These organizations help ensure US products meet the necessary standards before they reach Indonesian consumers.

BPJPH ensures that consumer protection and the “Mandatory Halal October 2026” policy are enforced consistently. This policy applies to all imported products to maintain transparency and accountability in the marketplace.