Halal imports into Indonesia primed for acceleration with the launch of foreign halal certificate registration platform

The platform will be housed under BPJPH’s Halal Information System (Sihalal).

Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Law stipulates that halal products, including cosmetics and raw materials, entering and sold in the country must be halal-certified​.

However, halal products imported into the country do not need to apply for new halal certificates if they already have one issued by Foreign Halal Institutions (LHLNs) that have a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with BPJPH.

Going forward, companies are simply required to register the foreign halal certificates with BPJPH via the new RSHLN platform, before distributing their products in the market.

“Products certified halal by LHLNs that have carried out mutual recognition of halal certificates or have MRAs with BPJPH no longer need to re-apply for halal certification in Indonesia. They just need to register the foreign halal certificates. This change will certainly provide convenience for industrial and trade activities of halal products.​

“​In countries where there are no ​LHLNs recognised by BPJPH, halal certification of products is to be carried out at BPJPH in accordance with applicable regulations,” ​said Muhammad Aqil Irham, head of BPJPH.

Currently, the authority has listed 37 LHLNs from 16 countries on its website.

CosmeticsDesign-Asia​ previously reported​ that South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has been in talks with the Indonesian authority, and has put in a request for mutual recognition between local halal certification agencies and BPJPH.

Enabling a smooth transition​

The launch of the RSHLN platform comes after a series of preparatory work carried out by BPJPH.

This involved coordination with related ministries and institutions, as well as data integration with LHLNs and implementation of the RSHLN registration system on Sihalal.  

In addition, a system test with representatives from the Importers Association of Indonesia was conducted over a period of seven days.

BPJPH also prepared technical instructions for verifying RSHLN documents and disseminated them to relevant stakeholders.

It should be noted that new applications or extensions of RSHLN must be submitted by importers and/or official representatives in Indonesia to BPJPH in writing, using the integrated electronic system on Sihalal.

If the required documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by English translations done by a sworn translator.

These documents include 1) RSHLN application letter, 2) letter of appointment from the company in the country of origin that authorises the applicant to register foreign halal certificates, 3) Business License Number (NIB) of the importer and/or official representative in Indonesia, 4) a copy of the foreign halal certificate for products to be imported into Indonesia that has been signed by an authorised official abroad (if the LHLN is in a member country of the Apostille Convention, only an Apostille certificate document is required), 5) list of goods to be imported into Indonesia, complete with the harmonisation system code number, 6) a statement indicating that all documents submitted are correct and valid.