Indonesia Clarifies Halal Certification Requirements for US Goods

Jakarta – The Indonesian government has reaffirmed that mandatory halal certification remains in effect for imported products, including those from the United States, despite recent discussions surrounding a reciprocal tariff agreement. The clarification comes after reports suggested potential adjustments to halal regulations to facilitate increased US exports.

Reciprocal Tariff Agreement and Initial Concerns

Recent media reports highlighted provisions within Annex III Article 2.9 of a reciprocal tariff trade agreement (ART) signed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and US President Donald Trump. These provisions sparked speculation about potential easing of halal requirements for US exports of cosmetics, medical devices, and other goods.

Government Reassurance on Halal Standards

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya firmly dismissed these interpretations as “not true,” emphasizing that all products legally requiring halal certification must continue to comply with Indonesian law. “Products that are required to be certified must certainly have a halal label, either from a halal body in the US or a halal body in Indonesia,” he stated, according to Bernama.

Mandatory Halal Certification for Food and Beverages

Halal certification remains mandatory for food and beverage products entering Indonesia. The process is administered by the Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH) within Indonesia.

US Halal Certification Bodies

For products originating in the United States, halal certificates can be issued by recognized institutions such as the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) and Halal Transactions of Omaha (HTO). ANTARA News reports that the Indonesian government recognizes these certifications.

Oversight of Cosmetics and Medical Devices

Beyond food and beverage, cosmetics and medical devices are similarly subject to stringent regulations. These products must obtain distribution permits and certification from the Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM), the Indonesian food and drug regulator, before being allowed on the domestic market.

Mutual Recognition Agreement

Indonesia and the US maintain a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on halal standards. This agreement allows for the reciprocal recognition of certification, ensuring that regulatory and supervisory benchmarks are maintained in both countries. RRI.co.id confirms this agreement is in place.

Further Discussions

Technical discussions regarding the implementation of the reciprocal tariff agreement, including adjustments to halal regulations, are scheduled to take place at the Office of the United States Trade Representative.