BPOM Prioritizes Safety While Simplifying MSME Licensing

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) Head Taruna Ikrar confirmed that the agency will simplify the licensing process for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The move aims to support the development of Red and White Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) nationwide.

Taruna said the streamlined licensing process will allow village MSME products to enter the Kopdes Merah Putih ecosystem more quickly. He stressed, however, that product safety and quality standards remain BPOM’s top priority.

“We will simplify the licensing process, but the standards cannot be lowered. We will expedite it by finding ways to make the process faster,” Taruna said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

He emphasized BPOM’s full commitment to ensuring the success of the Red and White Village Cooperatives program. “Essentially, we want to accelerate the process and help this program succeed,” he added.

Taruna acknowledged that licensing applications from MSMEs have risen in recent months, reflecting strong enthusiasm among business actors to expand their market reach.

In addition to streamlining licensing, BPOM will also screen products entering the Kopdes Merah Putih network. Domestic products will be prioritized to strengthen the competitiveness of local MSMEs.

BPOM will continue coordinating with the government on product supervision and distribution schemes within the cooperative network. The agency’s goal is to ensure that products circulating in the market are safe, high-quality, and provide economic benefits to village communities.

“Standards cannot be lowered. However, we will find ways to speed up the process while maintaining safety for the public,” said Taruna. (Misni Parjiati)