As the world’s country with the largest Muslim population, Indonesia is promoting the standardization of the halal industry at an unprecedented pace. On October 17, 2026, the Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) will officially implement new mandatory halal certification regulations, marking a historic comprehensive upgrade of the country’s market access threshold featuring full and equal coverage for all products.
Formulated in accordance with the Halal Product Assurance Law No. 33 of 2014 and Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024, the new rules completely abolish the previous exemption period for imported products. Unified certification standards shall apply equally to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, large multinational corporations, local brands and foreign goods without distinction.
The full list of products subject to mandatory certification starting from October 2026 has been confirmed. In addition to food and beverages that have been under mandatory certification since October 2024, cosmetics and personal care products including skin care items, makeup and toiletries, medicines and health supplements such as traditional herbal medicines and nutritional supplements, chemical and bioengineering products, daily necessities like detergents and cleaners, apparel, accessories and headscarves, household health care products and home appliances, Muslim prayer supplies and stationery, as well as Class A medical devices including low-risk medical consumables and bandages must complete certification before the deadline. The mandatory compliance deadlines for prescription and over-the-counter modern medicines are postponed to 2029 and 2034 respectively.
For Chinese export enterprises, this poses both compliance challenges and strategic opportunities. Early completion of certification can not only avoid trade risks, but also help enterprises tap into Indonesia’s domestic consumer market worth 281.6 billion US dollars and enter the global halal supply chain via Indonesia. A full-range halal compliance system covering raw material traceability, production line upgrading, warehousing, logistics and label design has become essential infrastructure for enterprises exporting to Indonesia. With less than half a year left for compliance preparation, early layout is vital to seize market opportunities.