Indonesia entirely amends Halal certification rules 
On February 2, 2021, Indonesia enacted the “Governmental Regulation No. 39 of 2021 on Halal Product Assurance Mechanism” (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation), which came into effect immediately. With the enforcement of the Regulation, the previous Governmental Regulation No. 31 of 2019 became invalid. The Regulation, which consists of 16 chapters and 172 articles, makes Halal certification mandatory for specific products, and stipulates the products to be certified, implementation schedule, product packaging, and certification method.
The original text of the Regulation can be downloaded from the following link.
https://jdih.setkab.go.id/PUUdoc/176351/PP_Nomor_39_Tahun_2021.pdf
Regulated Products
The specific products for which Halal certification will be mandatory are specified in Article 135 of the Regulation as follows
-
- Food
- Beverages
- Medicine
- Cosmetics
- Chemical products
- Biological products
- Genetically modified products
- Used products that are used, utilized, or exploited.
However, “chemical products,” “biological products,” and “genetically modified products” in paragraphs “5” to “7” above shall be related to food, beverages, medicine, or cosmetics. The detailed definitions of “food,” “beverage,” “medicine,” and “cosmetics” in paragraphs “1” through “4” will be determined by the Minister of Religion.
Implementation Schedule
The implementation schedule of Halal certification obligation for each product is as follows.
| Products | Mandatory date |
| Herbal medicines, tonic, and health supplements | Oct. 17th, 2026 |
| Over-the-counter and unregulated medications are | Oct. 17th, 2029 |
| Prescription drugs, except psychotropic drugs | Oct. 17th, 2034 |
| Cosmetics, chemical products and genetically modified products | Oct. 17th, 2026 |
| Second-hand items used in the clothing, headwear, and accessories category | Oct. 17th, 2026 |
| Used products used in the categories of home health tools, household utensils, prayer tools for Muslims, writing utensils, and office tools | Oct. 17th, 2026 |
| Second-hand goods in the category of “Risk A” health equipment | Oct. 17th, 2026 |
| Second-hand goods in the category of “Risk B” health equipment | Oct. 17th, 2029 |
| Second-hand goods in the category of “Risk C” health equipment | Oct. 17th, 2034 |
| Drugs, biologicals, and health appliances whose raw materials are not derived from Halal sources and/or whose production methods are not based on Halal | To be implemented in accordance with the relating laws and regulations |
