As the world's largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia has long set the standard for halal certification across Southeast Asia. Starting 18 October 2026, that standard will become much broader.
Under Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, reinforced by Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024, mandatory halal certification will extend beyond food and beverages. It will apply to seven product categories simultaneously.
According to Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH), Indonesia's halal certification authority, the seven categories are:
- Food and beverages
- Slaughtered products and slaughtering services
- Cosmetics
- Chemical products and genetically engineered products
- Traditional herbal medicine, quasi-drugs, and health supplements
- Raw materials and additives used in food and beverages
- Consumer goods, including apparel, household health supplies, household equipment, worship items, stationery, office supplies, and Class A risk medical devices
A Stricter Rule Than Malaysia
This is where Indonesia diverges sharply from Malaysia, the region's other major halal certification hub. Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) also certifies a broad range of non-food products, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods.
However, certification for those categories remains voluntary. Businesses only need it if they want to market their products as halal, not simply to sell them.
Indonesia's approach removes that choice. Once the October 2026 deadline takes effect, businesses selling covered products in Indonesia will be required to obtain halal certification.
The rule applies to both domestic manufacturers and foreign exporters, regardless of whether they market their products as halal. For companies seeking access to more than 280 million consumers in the world's largest Muslim-majority market, this is far more than a minor compliance requirement.
What 'Consumer Goods' Actually Covers
The consumer goods category is where the policy surprises many people. It includes products that are rarely associated with halal or non-halal concepts in everyday life.
One example came on 28 March 2018, when PT Sharp Electronics Indonesia introduced refrigerators and freezers certified halal by the Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics of the Indonesian Ulema Council (LPPOM MUI) under certification code Cerol-SS23000 (Status A). The products were marketed as Indonesia's first halal refrigerators.
According to LPPOM MUI's deputy director at the time, certification was relevant because certain plastic components could use emulsifiers derived from non-halal materials during manufacturing.
A related, but distinct, example involves phone cases. BPJPH's head has clarified that the phone itself does not require certification. Instead, the requirement applies to the case, but only if it is made from animal-derived materials such as genuine leather.
The broader principle is the same. Not every consumer product automatically requires halal certification. The requirement only applies when its raw materials or production process could reasonably involve non-halal substances.
