Businesses ‘not ready’ as halal deadline nears, push delays
The law requires products or restaurants without the certification in October to declare they do not comply with Islamic law, a step that could hit sales. In the absence of compliance, such products could be pulled from the market.
Businesses are expressing concerns as the deadline for mandatory halal certification approaches, with many stating they are "not ready" for the transition set to take effect on October 18th. The certification process is deemed complex, and gaps within the system could disrupt supply chains and increase costs. This requirement now extends to a broad range of products, including food and beverages, cosmetics, certain medicines, chemicals, and various consumer goods, both locally produced and imported.
Industry groups are urging for additional time and a more straightforward process, while the government maintains its commitment to the fixed deadline. Dewi Meisari, head of the small and medium enterprise (SME) center at the University of Indonesia, criticized the policy as taking a "one-size-fits-all" approach, overlooking the vast differences in resources and readiness among businesses.
She emphasized that many small and medium enterprises are merely striving to survive, selling products to make ends meet. Dewi argued that such policies fail to consider the realities people face in their daily lives.
Halal certification, which was initially pursued as a means to expand businesses, is now being treated like another mandatory licensing requirement, exacerbating the growing list of certifications businesses must obtain. Dewi highlighted that certifying cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, and personal-care products proves particularly challenging due to the complexities in their supply chains.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
