Indonesia’s halal rules: What companies need to do

Companies operating in or exporting to Indonesia should act now to determine which of their products require halal certification, assess their supply chains, and prepare for upcoming compliance deadlines, the next of which is scheduled for 17 October 2026.

Legal framework and scope 

Indonesia’s halal regime is based on Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, as amended, and implementing regulations including Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024 (GR 42/2024) and Minister of Religious Affairs Regulation No. 26 of 2019. Products entering, circulating or traded in Indonesia must be halal certified, while products made from prohibited materials must instead carry non-halal information. Under this legislation, “product” is broadly defined to cover goods and services relating to food, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, chemical, biological and genetically engineered products, and goods used or worn by the public. 

Certification applies to the finished product, but the assessment covers the entire supply chain. For a product to be halal-certified, companies must show that materials are halal and that procurement, processing, storage, packaging, distribution, sale and presentation comply with the Halal Product Process (PPH). Production locations and equipment also need to be kept separate from non-halal operations. This will require supporting evidence from suppliers and third-party manufacturers, not just the companies placing the products in the Indonesian market.

What companies need to do

Companies should: 

1. identify products within regulated categories; 
2. verify every material and processing aid, including plant-derived, microbial, chemical, biological, and genetically engineered inputs; 
3. classify each product as halal-certifiable, non-halal, or pending further diligence; 
4. prepare certification applications; and 
5. implement the required production segregation and labelling.

Deadlines and enforcement

Deadlines vary by product category and, in some cases, business size, with several phases extending to 17 October 2034. For certain cosmetics and consumer goods, the transition ends on 17 October 2026 and certification becomes mandatory on 18 October 2026. GR 42/2024 provides no general grandfathering or stock-exhaustion exemption. Non-compliance may lead to warnings, fines and withdrawal of products from circulation.

Halal and non-halal labelling at a glance

For halal-certified products, GR 42/2024 requires that a Halal Label with at least a halal logo issued by Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal or BPJPH) and a certificate or registration number be visible on the product and/or its packaging, with some exceptions. 

Similarly, where the product is non-halal, information to that effect must be included. Failure to identify non-halal products may lead to a written warning and ultimately withdrawal of the product until the non-halal information is included. BPJPH will announce any sanctioned products through the media within two days.

Readiness remains a challenge

There is a widening gap between the regulatory deadline and market readiness, particularly for consumer and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) businesses. International manufacturers in particular are facing practical barriers, including limited overseas certification capacity, weak traceability, and the cost and complexity of changing established supply chains.

Key uncertainties include access to information from third-party manufacturers and the treatment of stock already in Indonesia before the deadline. These issues are acute for businesses with multi-tier supply chains, outsourced production, and high inventory volumes.

No broad postponement has been confirmed 

APINDO, Indonesia’s Employers Association, has requested a postponement, and the government has considered industry concerns. However, recent official statements indicate that the October 2026 phase will proceed as scheduled. BPJPH has publicly reaffirmed that the latest requirements take effect on 18 October 2026. That said, the government is reportedly preparing special provisions for micro and small enterprise (UMK) products and imported products to ensure that implementation does not disrupt business continuity.

Immediate priorities

Companies operating in or exporting to Indonesia should plan on the October 2026 deadline remaining in force. To the extent a company has not already taken actions to comply with this requirement, the immediate priority is to identify affected products, review the supply chain, and determine whether existing stock will need relabelling or withdrawal.

Companies should continue preparing and, where possible, filing certification applications. Their records should cover materials, processing aids, facilities, and third-party manufacturing. Documenting preparations may also help demonstrate good faith compliance should regulators ask questions.

If you would like to discuss how we can help you with Indonesia's halal certification requirements or broader compliance planning and strategy, please reach out to Stephanie or your usual contact.