The Indonesian government is planning to issue up to 1.35 million free halal certificates for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) by 2026, according to the Head of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan. This goal is part of a directive from the Presidential Office ahead of the implementation of the Mandatory Halal Law in October 2026.
In 2025, the government allocated a quota of 1.14 million free halal certificates for micro and small entrepreneurs, with the program implemented by BPJPH. As of end-2025, 10.9 million products had received halal certification from BPJPH.
The agency has also issued Decree Number 146 of 2025, which includes food kiosks as eligible recipients of free halal certification assistance. Under the latest regulation, 25,002 food kiosks registered with the Sihalal system have already received free halal certification.
Hasan elaborated that the halal certification process—both the self-declaration scheme for MSEs and the regular scheme for medium and large businesses—is conducted transparently through the Sihalal information system, which serves as the backbone of BPJPH’s digital services.
The implementation of the regular halal certification, in accordance with Law Number 33 of 2014 and Government Regulation Number 42 of 2024, also involves external service providers, namely the Halal Inspection Institutions (LPH) and the Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).
Halal certification applications can be submitted to BPJPH through ptsp.halal.go.id and are then subject to product inspection or testing by LPH through audits conducted by certified halal auditors. Based on the audit results, the product proceeds to the MUI Fatwa Commission for a halal ruling, followed by the issuance of a halal certificate by BPJPH.
To ensure transparency, there are no physical meetings or personal communication between BPJPH employees and the business entity applying for the halal certificate, as everything is done digitally.
In a related development, there are also plans to open an Indonesian halal certification service center in HCMC, Vietnam in 2026, as it aims to assist Vietnamese businesses to streamline procedures, shorten certification timelines, and gain easier access to the world’s largest halal consumer market (Indonesia). The Indonesian Consul General in HCMC announced this plan during an international halal workshop jointly organised by the Indonesian Consulate General with the municipal Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) at the New World Saigon Hotel. The new service center is expected to provide clearer guidance, streamline administrative procedures, and shorten processing times for Vietnamese enterprises seeking certification. It is expected to be operational in the first half of 2026.
Indonesia views the halal industry as a potential key driver of bilateral trade and investment with Vietnam, in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership framework established by the 2 countries in March 2025.
