[2023 Updated] Most Common Questions about Halal Certificate

The Halal issue is very sensitive in Indonesia. As one of the most prominent Muslim countries, a Halal Certificate is necessary to ensure your products’ distribution to the Indonesian market.

Most common questions about the Halal Certificate in Indonesia

1. Cosmetic materials are often made in industrial manufacturing plants. Will the same strict Halal rules apply to food materials? Do the cosmetic products need to be made on dedicated lines (separate from Haram materials)? Would the water used in production also need to be purified with Halal-certified materials?

Yes, it applies to food materials too. The cosmetic products need to be made on dedicated lines (separate from Haram materials), including the water used in production (find out how to register products in Indonesia).

2. Geratin deprived of pork is considered Halal?

Pork and its derivatives are not Halal materials. The product must not have a tendency to smell or taste Haram/Forbidden by MUI.

3. Does MUI investigate all raw ingredients of cosmetics products? How detailed will they go?

Yes, they do. BPJPH/MUI Team will conduct an audit and survey of the industrial manufacturing plants to investigate the production process. They will ensure the production facility has no contamination with materials/products that are unclean/impure.

The manufacturers can use the production facilities interchangeably to produce certified and non-certified products as long as it does not contain ingredients derived from pork and its derivatives. Therefore, there must be procedures to ensure if there is no cross-contamination occurs.

4. How much will BPJPH/MUI charge to certify one cosmetic product?

The regulatory bodies cannot confirm the fee, as it would be determined once the application has been submitted.

How is it different from Halal certification in an Islamic country in the Middle East?

The regulation and the Halal certification body would be different in every country. All products that enter, circulate, and are traded in the territory of Indonesia must be Halal-certified by BPJPH/MUI.

6. Will certification from MUI be recognized in all other Islamic countries?

We cannot confirm since it would depend on each country. LPPOM MUI is also in partnership with Halal certification bodies in many countries, and LPPOM MUI recognizes their standard is compatible with MUI.

However, MUI will not recognize the Halal certificates of the product since the Halal certificates issued by the partnering certification bodies will only be valid for the product’s ingredients.

The Halal certificates issued by these approved Halal certification bodies. Except for products made in Europe, they can be Halal certified by any approved Halal certification body located in Europe. However, it will only recognize the product produced in the same country where the Halal certification body is found.

7. Can we still sell cosmetics without Halal certification in Indonesia? If so, do you have research results on change in consumer behavior for certified and non-certified products?

Since the regulation hasn’t been well implemented, you can still sell cosmetics without Halal Certification. However, once the regulation is strictly applied, then the products shall be certified to comply with the regulation. Since most Indonesian population is Muslim, they will look for certified products.

8. The upcoming Indonesian Halal law states that “Utilized goods” (consumer products) need to be Halal certified within a few years after implementing the Law. It is unclear what utilized goods/consumer products are. Is it possible to get a scope description? For example, does “utilized goods” include all off-shelf purchased goods (supermarket, consumer stores, etc.), or is this only linked to the food & beverage, medical, cosmetic, and chemical items mentioned in the law?

Based on the regulation, the products are goods and/or services related to food, beverage, drug, cosmetics, chemical products, biological products, genetically engineered products, as well as consumer goods that are worn, used, or utilized by the public, which we believe the product placed at the supermarket, consumer stores, etc.

9. The upcoming Indonesian Halal law states that “chemicals” must be Halal certified within a few years after implementing the Law. However, which chemicals are included? Is this only linked to the food, medical, cosmetic, and chemical items mentioned in the law? It is unclear.

As the regulation is still in the making process, it’s not yet detailed regarding the chemical implementation for Halal products.

10. If I send cosmetics to Indonesia, do my products need to get a Halal certificate?

It is not mandatory to be Halal certified in an overseas country. To reach the Indonesian market, the products must be Halal-certified by the regulatory bodies in Indonesia.

11. How about the raw materials of the supplier my cosmetic product is made of? Does my supplier also need to be Halal certificated on them?

The material used in the production process may consist of raw material, process material, additional material, and auxiliary material. According to the principles of Halal certification, each of those materials will need to be Halal-certified.

Since non-Halal agents should not contaminate the end product, every process and material shall be Halal assured.

12. Is the Halal certification process the same for Malaysia?

In Indonesia, the Halal Certification is filed by business actors with implementing Halal assurance procedures and applying to the BPJPH. Afterward, the Halal Auditor will conduct an Inspection and testing of Halal products.

Halal Fatwa of MUI determines that the product and procedures have fulfilled the requirements, and BPJPH will issue the Halal Certificate.

13. If my company is Halal certificated for Europe or Malaysia, is it also suitable for Indonesia?

Since there might be differences in the standards used by each certification body, BPJPH and MUI will still need to inspect and audit the procedures and products. However, assuming that Indonesian regulatory bodies already recognize the Halal certification bodies, the process will be easier and smoother than for those who have yet to be certified.

14. Is there one organization that certifies cosmetics for Indonesia + Malaysia + Gulf Arabic countries?

To this day, there isn’t a single organization with such recognition. Each region still has its own Halal certification body, which regulates the Halal certification of the product.

15. How to get a Halal certificate for cosmetics?

Check the procedure here “Halal Certification in Indonesia”.

16. If a company produces a hand sanitizer containing ethyl alcohol inside. Can that company get Halal certification for the product?

Yes, it’s possible, as long as the ethyl alcohol is not from the alcoholic beverage industry.

17. International bodies are pushing for voluntary certification instead of mandatory accreditation; what is the position of Indonesia? Does Indonesia take into account its recommendations?

Indonesia requires Halal certification as a mandatory certification.

18. Will obtaining a Halal certificate for imported cosmetics in Indonesia be compulsory?

Based on the latest regulation, product that enters, circulate, and are traded in the territory of Indonesia must have a Halal certificate which relates to food, beverage, drug, cosmetic, chemical product, biological product, genetically engineered product, as well as wearable consumer goods, used, or utilized by the public.

19. How about the requirement for ingredients? Should they be registered for a Halal certificate, or must they meet some criteria?

The ingredient doesn’t need to be Halal certified. It’s suggested to utilize ingredients that are Halal certified. If the material has not been authorized, the material should be approved as a Halal material.

20. What is the difference in process between the product that already has a Halal certificate in place?

Practically there will be no significant differences in terms of the process. However, if the product has been Halal certified in an overseas country, it may go smoother during the certification process. However, the product will still have to be Halal-certified by BPJPH.

21. Can we register Halal cosmetics in Indonesia?

Yes, you can.

22. Can you give some examples of a haram cosmetic product?

What can be classified as haram cosmetic products are not the only product that contains haram materials. The products should also be safe for consumers as they do not contain mercury or harmful ingredients.

It should also comply with the Halal requirements, as it will not deter compulsive prayers and other obligations—the Example, haram cosmetic products: lipstick with pork collagen, waterproof nail polish, etc.

23. Can you explain the particularity again for European products, please?

• The certifier must allow a field observation (Halal-Audit), including the production process from material receipt, production, packaging, and storage.
• The producer must provide a detailed product analysis (ingredients list).
• The producer must confirm in writing that no alcohol is in the production process.
• And also must confirm in writing that no products of animal/derivatives except Halal origin are included in the product or production process.
• The audits take place every year unless there are changes within the production.
• According to Indonesian Law No. 6 Year 2023, halal certification is valid as long as there’s no change in the ingredient or process.
• Train the staff by the certifier to guarantee a complete and deep Knowledge of Halal.
• Should apply a Halal logo on the product.

Check the European Institute of Halal Certification

24. Is a Halal Certificate required for all cosmetics to be distributed in Indonesia?

Based on the latest regulations, products that enter, circulate, and traded in the territory of Indonesia must have a Halal certificate which the effects are related to food, beverage, drug, cosmetics, chemicals development, biological products, genetically engineered products, as well as consumer goods that are worn, used, or utilized by the public.

25. Is there any limit regarding ethanol in the final product?

Ethanol in oral cosmetic products should be less than 1%. However, for external products, it can be more than 1%.

26. If I want to send cosmetics to Indonesia, I need to be Halal-certified. What raw materials of my supplier my cosmetic product made of? Does my supplier also need Halal certification?

The material used in the production process may consist of raw material, process material, additional material, and auxiliary material. According to the principles of Halal certification, each of those materials will need to be Halal-certified. Since the end product should not be contaminated by any non-Halal agents, every process and every material shall be Halal assured.

2023 Updates on Halal Certification in Indonesia

It has been compulsory for all goods and services imported to and traded in the Indonesian territory to have Halal certification since October 17, 2019, particularly for food and beverage products. But, products that come from non-

Halal materials are not obligated to have a Halal certificate.
Businesses can obtain the Halal certification progressively or gradually within the period specified below:

• Food and beverages: October 17, 2019 – October 17, 2024
• Food and beverages packaging: depending on the type of food and beverages
• Traditional medicines and health supplements: October 17, 2021 – October 17, 2026
• Clothing, headwear, and accessories: October 17, 2021 – October 17, 2026
• Chemical products, cosmetic products, and genetically engineered products: October 17, 2021 – October 17, 2026
• Risk A class medical devices: October 17, 2021 – October 17, 2026
• Household appliances, household healthcare supplies, stationery and office equipment, Muslim prayer equipment: October 17, 2021 – October 17, 2026
• Risk B class medical devices: October 17, 2021 – October 17, 2029
• Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and limited OTC drugs: October 17, 2021 – October 17, 2029
• Risk C class medical devices: October 17, 2021 – October 17, 2034
• Prescription drugs (except psychotropics): October 17, 2021 – October 17, 2034
• Services relating to OTC drugs, limited OTC drugs, prescription drugs (except psychotropics), chemical products, cosmetics, and genetically engineered products: depending on the type of product
• Biological products, drug products, and medical devices with their materials or production processes not determined as Halal yet: according to related laws and regulations

In 2022, there have been some changes in the regulatory bodies for Halal certification.
Indonesia’s halal certification process is under the National Body of Halal Assurance (BPJPH) domain. At the same time, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) sets up the halal compliance standard and issues the Halal fatwa.

According to Indonesian Law No. 6 Year 2023, halal certification is valid as long as there’s no change in the ingredient or process.

According to Government Regulation No. 39, 2021, the policy is legal regarding Halal Product Assurance.
During the certification process, the BPJPH will appoint Halal Inspection Institution (LPH) officials to audit whether the products qualify as halal.

For further information about getting a Halal certificate, you can contact InCorp Indonesia. Our team will assist you in getting a Halal certification for your products.