Jakarta. Indonesia is set to make halal certificates mandatory this October.

Bigger businesses already had to include halal labels on their products since October 2024. The policy will be fully in effect for enterprises of all sizes, including those selling food and cosmetics, on October 18. And so halal assurance agency BPJPH is urging businesses to get their halal certificates as soon as possible.

"Businesses must not view halal certificates as a burden. But they can be part of a strategy to win consumer trust and increase business competitiveness," BPJPH chief Haikal Hassan was quoted as saying by the state news agency Antara on Monday.

The certificates are also even more important as Indonesian businesses now have to compete with foreign players.

"Many countries have embraced the halal industry as an economic opportunity. We have enormous potential, so we should be a major player in this industry," Haikal said.

Indonesia has clinched some mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with foreign partners. These deals see Indonesia recognizing foreign-issued halal certificates and vice versa, streamlining market entry

According to Finance Ministry data, the halal value chain made up 27% of the national gross domestic product in Q3 2025.

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. Over 200 million Indonesians identify as Muslims.

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