Indonesia to Mandate 'Halal Certification' for Major Consumer Goods Starting October 2026

Preparation for Halal certification has become urgent for South Korean consumer goods companies seeking to enter the Indonesian market. This is because the Indonesian government is phasedly expanding the mandatory Halal certification for major consumer goods product groups.

According to a KOTRA TV video, Indonesia plans to fully apply the mandatory Halal certification for imported food, beverages, cosmetics, health functional foods, and major daily consumer goods starting October 18, 2026. Indonesia is a market where approximately 87% of the total population is Muslim, and since the enactment of the Halal Product Assurance Act in 2014, the scope of mandatory certification has been gradually widening. If these mandatory regulations are not met, strong administrative sanctions such as product recalls, suspension of business, and cancellation of permits may follow.

Beyond simple certification, it determines distribution network entry and online exposure

Halal certification is now moving beyond a simple religious label to establish itself as a core 'market standard' for entering the local market. The atmosphere in the local distribution industry is also changing. According to the video, some buyers and distributors are considering measures to stop new orders or avoid handling products without Halal certification starting from the second half of 2026. In fact, local distributors are showing a tendency to display products without certification in separate areas or avoid handling them.

The influence in the online market also cannot be ignored. Search filters or certification badge functions that prioritize the exposure of Halal-certified products within online platforms are becoming important. A local distribution industry official emphasized that 85% of Indonesian customers are Muslim, noting that the comfort and safety customers feel when consuming and using products are very important.

Mandatory inspection of the 'entire supply chain' from raw materials to packaging

To obtain Halal certification, it is necessary to inspect the entire supply chain, from the source of raw materials to manufacturing, storage, and distribution, rather than just attaching a logo to the finished product. In particular, the part where South Korean companies experience difficulties during the certification process is the management of raw materials and auxiliary materials. In the case of food, gelatin, carmine, emulsifiers, and alcohol flavorings are major subjects of review, while for cosmetics, animal-based ingredients and some flavorings, and for health functional foods, capsule ingredients and excipients may be subject to screening.

In particular, auxiliary materials such as packaging adhesives, coatings, and materials in contact with products that do not go directly into the product can also cause problems during the screening process, so caution is required. The video presents four key items that South Korean companies should prepare: ▲Checking whether the product is subject to mandatory requirements ▲Full inspection of raw materials and additives ▲Checking processing aids and packaging materials ▲Reviewing certification routes (the method of registration with BPJPH through a South Korean certification body or the direct certification method with Indonesia's BPJPH).

KOTRA has published the "Report on Responding to Indonesia's Mandatory Halal Certification and Strategies for Entering the Consumer Goods Market" to respond to these changes. As of August 2026, a total of 6 South Korean certification bodies have been confirmed to have signed mutual recognition agreements with Indonesia's BPJPH.