Indonesia Reaffirms Halal Certification Requirement for US Products

Jakarta – Recent reports suggesting that the United States products entering Indonesia would be exempt from halal certification requirements are inaccurate, according to Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. The Indonesian government has clarified that all products requiring halal certification must still adhere to existing regulations.

Clarification from the Indonesian Government

Teddy Indra Wijaya, alongside Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, addressed the misinformation during a press statement on February 23, 2026. “Someone said that US products entered Indonesia without halal certification? So in short it’s like this: That’s not true,” Wijaya stated according to CNBC Indonesia.

Products that require halal certification, whether originating from the US or elsewhere, must possess a halal label issued by a recognized halal certification body, either in the US or Indonesia. Recognized US halal certification bodies include Halal Transactions of Omaha (HTO) and Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA).

Regulatory Oversight for Product Categories

The Indonesian government maintains its regulatory standards for various product categories:

• Food and Beverage: Must have halal certification from either a US-recognized body or the Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH) in Indonesia.
• Cosmetics and Medical Devices: Require marketing authorization from the Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM) before being distributed in Indonesia.

Recent Trade Agreement Context

The clarification comes following scrutiny of the ‘Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia on Reciprocal Trade,’ specifically Annex III Article 2.5. This section details that Indonesia will accept FDA approval as sufficient evidence that US-manufactured medical devices meet Indonesian marketing requirements, and will not require additional marketing approval for low-risk devices already cleared by the FDA.

Similarly, Indonesia will recognize audits and certificates of quality management systems of medical equipment manufacturers that comply with the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP).

The agreement also stipulates that pharmaceutical products from the US only require FDA approval for circulation within the Indonesian market, without requiring periodic reauthorization unless significant safety, effectiveness, or quality concerns arise.

Mutual Recognition Agreement

Indonesia and the United States have a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in place, facilitating the recognition of halal certifications in global trade as reported by Liputan6.com.

The Indonesian government remains committed to upholding its existing regulations regarding product safety and halal certification, ensuring compliance for all imported goods.