Technical Guide to Halal Certification: The Correct Sequence of Steps

Halal certification is not a one-time process. There are stages that must be completed in sequence, from preparing the system on the business side to the issuance of the certificate by BPJPH (the Halal Product Assurance Agency). This article guides you through the technical sequence so that businesses do not work backwards.

Step 1: Build a halal assurance system

The starting point is not the form, but the system. Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 57 of 2021 on the Criteria for the Halal Product Assurance System serves as the main reference for implementing SJPH (Halal Product Assurance System) on the business side. This document contains five criteria: commitment and responsibility, materials, halal product processes, products, and monitoring and evaluation. This decree has been amended by Kepka 20/2023.

In practice, these five criteria are translated into a written halal policy, a list of materials used, the production process flow, final product specifications, and a periodic internal audit mechanism. Companies also need to appoint personnel to carry out the halal supervisor function. Without a functioning system, the application documents are merely a formality.

Step 2: Map materials and their critical points

The materials criterion requires traceability, not just recording names. Materials whose status depends on their source need to be checked for origin and supplemented with documents from suppliers.

• Gelatin is derived from animal collagen. Its status depends on the source and the method of slaughter. Alternatives include fish gelatin, halal-certified beef gelatin, or agar and carrageenan as plant-based substitutes.
• Flavorings often use alcohol as a solvent, and their base may be animal-derived. The alternative is halal-certified flavorings with plant-based solvents and plant-based or microbial bases.
• Microbial enzymes include amylase, protease, and lipase, which may be sourced from microbial, plant, or animal sources. The alternative is enzymes produced through halal-certified fermentation, accompanied by source documents from suppliers.
• Yeast is generally halal, but its growth medium needs to be checked. Yeast with a halal-certified plant-based growth medium has generally become the modern industry standard.

For each critical material, prepare supporting documents: specifications, source origin, and the supplier's halal certificate if available. Materials without clear documents should be replaced or alternatives sought before the application is submitted.

Step 3: Ensure the production process is supportive

The halal product process criterion requires a clear separation between halal materials and those not yet verified. Pay attention to production lines, equipment, storage, and sanitation. If one line is used alternately for materials of different status, the cleaning procedure must be documented. This section often becomes a finding during inspection because field practices do not align with written procedures.

Step 4: Choose a halal inspection body

Inspection is carried out by a Halal Inspection Body (LPH). The LPH must be accredited, and its accreditation guidelines are set out in Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 78 of 2025. These guidelines cover requirements, Pratama and Utama qualifications, scope of competence, fees, application flow, surveillance, and witness assessment, with reference to SNI ISO/IEC 17065:2012.

Businesses need to ensure that the LPH's scope of competence matches the type of product being submitted. An LPH without the relevant scope cannot inspect that product. The procedures for establishment, accreditation, scope of activities, and revocation of LPH approval are themselves regulated in Government Regulation Number 42 of 2024, which also governs the appointment and dismissal of Halal Auditors.

Step 5: Submit the application and undergo inspection

The application is submitted to BPJPH with the documents prepared in the previous steps. BPJPH service standards, including requirements, timeframes, and tariffs for various types of services, are set out in Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 243 of 2025. This decree establishes 27 types of services, covering LPH accreditation, registration of LP3H and PPH Facilitators, issuance of halal certificates, and facilitation codes, and revokes Kepka 120/2022.

Once the application is accepted, the LPH conducts a document review and field audit. Auditors will test whether the written system is actually implemented. Prepare evidence of implementation, not just procedures.

Step 6: Understand the authority for determination

The LPH inspection results serve as the basis for the halal determination. The halal determination is the authority of the MUI Fatwa Commission or the Halal Product Fatwa Committee. Halal certificates are issued only by BPJPH. Businesses cannot definitively declare their products halal before going through this channel, and should not make such claims in marketing communications.

Step 7: Maintain the system after the certificate is issued

The certificate is not the end of the process. The monitoring and evaluation criteria in SJPH require periodic internal audits, recording of material changes, and handling of non-conformities. Changes in suppliers or formulas must be updated in the system documents. Otherwise, the conformity that has been inspected may erode without being noticed.

Common sequencing mistakes

• Submitting the application before the system and material documents are ready, so the process stalls midway.
• Choosing an LPH before ensuring its scope of competence matches the product type.
• Tracing materials only up to the supplier's name, without source documents.
• Treating the certificate as the end goal and neglecting monitoring.

The correct sequence saves time. Start with the system, proceed to materials and processes, and only then deal with submission and inspection.

To manage all SJPH criteria in one place, including halal policy, material registry, critical points, internal audits, and BPJPH certification readiness, IndoHalal.id provides an SJPH platform that your team can use on an ongoing basis.