Halal Certification Ensures Certainty, Not Restrictions: BPJPH Head

JAKTA – The Head of Indonesia’s Halal Product Guarantee Administration (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan, has firmly stated that halal certification should not be viewed as an obstacle in today’s globalized industrial and trade environment.

“Halal certification is not a barrier to business,” Haikal emphasized during a recent statement to ANTARA news agency on Monday, June 30. “Just like ISO standards, halal certification serves as a quality and safety assurance system. This isn’t about creating restrictions, but rather about providing clear certainty regarding a product’s halal status.”

The BPJPH leader further elaborated that Indonesia’s halal product guarantee system was specifically designed to serve three important functions: first, to enhance the economic value of certified products; second, to affirm consumer protection regarding halal products; and third, to avoid becoming a technical trade barrier.

Haikal noted this approach has become particularly relevant as global trade partners increasingly adopt protective trade policies in their economic strategies.

Commitment to Collaborative Development

Highlighting BPJPH’s open-door policy, Haikal stressed the administration’s willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders. This ongoing conversation aims to build a halal certification system that is both inclusive in its development and accountable in its implementation.

“Indonesia doesn’t formulate policies in isolation,” Haikal explained. “Our decisions are made with full awareness of our significant role and position as a key determinant in the global halal product ecosystem.”

To ensure international compatibility, BPJPH actively collaborates with numerous institutions at both national and international levels. “Through these partnerships, we’re working to fully integrate Indonesia’s halal system with global standards,” Haikal said. “This isn’t about closing doors – it’s about opening greater economic opportunities that will drive our nation’s progress.”

Positioning Indonesia as Global Halal Leader

BPJPH’s regular participation in international halal forums forms a crucial part of Indonesia’s strategy to strengthen its position as a major contributor to the global halal industry.

Haikal concluded by reiterating the multifaceted benefits of halal certification: “At its core, halal certification provides quality assurance while simultaneously offering economic protection and added value to products. Most importantly, it’s designed to facilitate rather than hinder trade.”

The BPJPH head painted an ambitious vision for Indonesia’s future in the halal sector: “By developing a halal system that’s strong, transparent, and reliable, we’re working toward making Indonesia not just a consumer market, but the central hub for the world’s halal industry.”