Indonesia Affirms Halal Certification Requirement for US Goods Despite Trade Agreement

Jakarta – Despite a recent reciprocal trade agreement with the United States, Indonesia has reaffirmed that all products entering and circulating within the country, including those from the US, must possess halal certification. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) clarified this position on Saturday, February 21, 2026, emphasizing that the requirement is non-negotiable and enshrined in Indonesian law.

Trade Agreement Details and Halal Certification

The Indonesian government and the US officially signed the Agreement of Reciprocal Trade (ART) on February 20, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The agreement includes exemptions from halal certification and labeling requirements for certain US products, specifically cosmetics, medical devices, and manufactured goods. In return, Indonesia will recognize halal certification institutions approved by the US national halal authority for imported products without additional requirements.

Legal Basis for Halal Certification

According to Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh, Chair of the Fatwa Division at MUI, the obligation for halal certification is mandated by Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance. “The law stipulates that all products entering and circulating in Indonesia must have halal certification,” Sholeh stated in an official statement on MUI Digital.

Halal Certification as a Human Right

MUI views the halal product assurance rule as a protection of human rights, specifically the right to practice religion. Sholeh argued that the principles of trade should be based on mutual respect and benefit, free from political pressure. He highlighted that Indonesia is open to trade with any country, provided these principles are upheld.

US Recognition of Halal Standards

Sholeh noted his visits to several US states to collaborate with Halal Institutions, observing that the US recognizes the halal certification system. He emphasized that respecting halal certification is integral to upholding human rights, particularly the freedom of religion. “If America talks about human rights, then the issue of halal certification is part of the implementation of respect and acknowledgment of the most fundamental human right, namely the right to practice religion,” he said.

Non-Negotiable Religious Obligation

MUI maintains that consuming halal products is a religious obligation that cannot be compromised, even for economic gain. Sholeh used the example of choosing a halal product over a cheaper, non-halal alternative, stating that even a free, non-halal product is unacceptable for consumption.

Technical Compromises and Public Appeal

Although the core requirement for halal certification remains firm, Sholeh proposed compromises regarding technical aspects, such as administrative simplification, transparency in reporting, cost efficiency, and processing time. He also urged the public to avoid purchasing non-halal products or those with unclear halal status, including non-compliant US products.