Technical Guide to Halal Certification: The Correct Sequence of Stages

Halal certification is not simply a matter of submitting an application and waiting for the certificate to be issued. There is a sequence of stages that businesses must follow so the process runs smoothly. This article guides you through those technical steps stage by stage, referring to the applicable regulations.

Stage 1: Understanding the regulatory framework

Before drafting documents, first understand the legal basis. Law Number 6 of 2023 on the Enactment of the Job Creation Perppu into Law amends Law 33/2014. This amendment simplifies the certification process, introduces the halal statement (self-declare) scheme for UMK (micro and small enterprises), and paves the way for the Halal Product Fatwa Committee.

Its implementation is governed by PP Number 42 of 2024 on the Implementation of the Halal Product Assurance Sector, which replaces PP 39/2021. This PP regulates the procedures for establishment, accreditation, scope of activities, and revocation of LPH (Halal Inspection Agency) approval, as well as the appointment and dismissal of Halal Auditors.

For service standards, including requirements, timeframes, and tariffs, the reference is the Decree of the Head of BPJPH (Halal Product Assurance Agency) Number 243 of 2025 on Service Standards at BPJPH. This decree revokes Kepka 120/2022.

Stage 2: Preparing the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH)

The main reference for implementing SJPH on the business side is the Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 57 of 2021 on the Criteria for the Halal Product Assurance System, as amended by Kepka 20/2023. There are five criteria that must be met:

1. Commitment and responsibility — a written halal policy and responsible personnel.
2. Materials — a list of materials used along with their halal status.
3. Halal product process — a production flow that prevents cross-contamination.
4. Product — conformity of the product with the documented materials and process.
5. Monitoring and evaluation — internal audits and follow-up.

These five criteria form the framework that will be examined at the audit stage. Preparing them from the start will make the next steps easier.

Stage 3: Mapping materials and critical points

The next technical step is to map every material used. Focus on materials whose halal status depends on their source. Some examples that need attention:

• Whey and caseinate — milk derivatives that are themselves halal, but the cheese-making process from which they originate may use animal rennet. Look for suppliers that state the use of microbial rennet or halal-certified animal rennet.
• Taurine — an amino acid in energy drinks; it is now generally synthetic, but historically came from ox bile. Choose synthetic taurine that has been halal-certified.
• Microbial food-processing enzymes — a broad category of enzymes (amylase, protease, lipase) that may be sourced from microbial, plant, or animal sources. Prioritize microbial enzymes from halal-certified fermentation, with source documents from the supplier.
• Vitamin D3 from lanolin — often extracted from sheep wool fat, not from slaughtered animals. Choose vitamin D3 from halal-certified lanolin, or mushroom/yeast-based vitamin D2.

For each material, collect supporting documents from the supplier: the material's halal certificate, specifications, and source information. These documents are what will be verified at the audit stage.

Stage 4: Appointing a halal supervisor and conducting an internal audit

The company needs to appoint personnel who run the SJPH day to day. The competence of this personnel can be built through halal supervisor training. Once the system is running, conduct an internal audit to ensure all SJPH criteria are met and documents are properly organized. An internal audit helps identify gaps before inspection by an external party.

Stage 5: Submitting the application and choosing the pathway

The certification application is submitted to BPJPH. For micro and small businesses with low-risk products, the halal statement (self-declare) scheme is available as introduced through Law 6/2023. For other businesses, the pathway taken is regular certification through an accredited LPH.

Ensure that the requirements, timeframes, and service tariffs refer to Kepka BPJPH 243/2025. Incomplete documents will slow down the process.

Stage 6: Inspection by the LPH and halal determination

The accredited LPH will conduct a halal inspection, including an audit of the production facility and verification of material documents. The inspection results are forwarded for halal determination. It should be understood that halal determination is the authority of the MUI Fatwa Commission/Halal Product Fatwa Committee. The halal certificate is issued only by BPJPH. Businesses cannot definitively declare their products halal before going through this process.

Stage 7: Maintaining the system after the certificate is issued

The certificate is not the end of the process. The SJPH must continue to be implemented: material monitoring, periodic internal audits, and evaluation if there are changes to materials or processes. If a change occurs that affects halal status, submit an update in accordance with the provisions. Maintaining the system means maintaining the certificate.

The sequence of stages above helps businesses understand what needs to be prepared at each step. To manage all SJPH criteria — halal policy, material registry, critical points, internal audits, and BPJPH certification readiness — in a single application, IndoHalal.id provides an SJPH platform that businesses can use.