Sequence of Halal Certification Steps from Registration to Issuance

Halal certification is not a single act, but a series of sequential stages. Understanding the sequence helps business actors prepare documents and materials at the right time, so the process does not stall midway.

The legal framework is Law Number 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, which regulates the obligation of halal certification, the establishment of BPJPH (Halal Product Assurance Agency), the role of the Halal Inspection Agency (LPH), and the authority of MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council) in determining the halal status of products. Its implementation is regulated in more detail in Government Regulation Number 42 of 2024 on the Implementation of Halal Product Assurance.

1. Ensure your product is among those required to be certified

The first step is to determine the position of the product. Minister of Religious Affairs Decree Number 748 of 2021 stipulates the product groups required to be halal-certified along with their phasing. The decree has been amended by KMA 944/2024. Business actors need to check the product group and the stage applicable to their type of business before proceeding.

2. Prepare the halal product assurance system

Before registering, the company prepares the halal product assurance system (SJPH) internally. The core of this stage is to ensure there is a halal policy, there is personnel running the system, and there are traceable records.

• A list of all materials used, including additives and processing aids.
• Documents on the source of materials from suppliers, such as halal certificates for materials or material specifications.
• The production process flow, including the point at which additives are introduced.
• A list of production and storage facilities.

This stage determines the smoothness of the next stage. Materials that do not have clear source documents are usually the main cause of delayed examinations.

3. Submit the halal certification application

The application is submitted to BPJPH. At this stage, the business actor submits product data and material data that have been prepared in the previous step. The completeness of the data determines whether the application can be processed to the examination stage.

4. Examination by the Halal Inspection Agency

After the application is received, BPJPH assigns the LPH to conduct the examination. The LPH is an institution that carries out the function of examining the halal status of products based on applicable standards.

In carrying out its duties, the LPH refers to SNI ISO/IEC 17065:2012, the standard referenced in LPH accreditation. This standard regulates impartiality, confidentiality, personnel competence, complaint and appeal management, and accountability. The regulation on the procedures for the establishment, accreditation, scope of activities, and revocation of LPH approval, as well as the appointment and dismissal of Halal Auditors, falls within the scope of PP 42/2024.

The examination covers the tracing of materials and the production process. At this point, materials with ambiguous sources will be traced further. Some materials that often require special attention include:

• Gelatin capsule shells. The source of the gelatin determines its status. The alternative is plant-based capsules such as HPMC or halal-certified bovine gelatin capsules.
• Mechanically separated meat (MSM). At risk of being mixed from various types of animals. A guarantee of a dedicated halal production line and a certificate from a certified slaughterhouse are required.
• Alcohol-solvent propolis. The source is halal, but the extraction process generally uses high-concentration ethanol. The alternative is water-based or glycerin-based extract, or alcohol-free propolis powder.
• Microbial enzymes. A broad category that can be sourced from microbial, plant, or animal sources. Halal-certified fermented enzymes with source documents from suppliers are required.

The results of the LPH examination are compiled as a report that becomes the basis for the next stage.

5. Determination of product halal status

The determination of halal status is the authority of the MUI Fatwa Commission/Halal Product Fatwa Committee. The LPH examination report is discussed in this forum to decide the halal status of the product being applied for. It should be noted that the halal certificate is only issued by BPJPH. The LPH examines, the fatwa forum determines halal status, and BPJPH issues the certificate.

6. Issuance of the halal certificate

After the halal status of the product is determined, BPJPH issues the halal certificate. This certificate applies to the products listed in it, in accordance with the data submitted and examined. Changes to materials or the production process after the certificate is issued need to be managed in accordance with applicable provisions, so that conformity is maintained.

After the certificate is issued

The certificate is not the end of the work. The halal product assurance system must continue to be run: new materials need to have their source documents verified, supplier changes need to be recorded, and production records need to be maintained. Regular internal audits help ensure the system is still running as designed before being examined by an external party.

For business actors who want to ensure all SJPH criteria are managed neatly before and after certification, the SJPH platform from IndoHalal.id helps manage halal policy, material registry, critical points, and internal audits in one application.