Halal certification still mandatory for Indonesia-bound US products
Indonesia has reaffirmed that halal certification requirements remain fully in force for US products entering the domestic market
JAKARTA, Indonesia (MNTV) – The Indonesian government has reaffirmed that halal certification requirements remain fully in force for U.S. products entering the domestic market, following concerns that a recent trade agreement could weaken existing regulations, reports the Jakarta Globe.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya dismissed claims that U.S. goods would be allowed into Indonesia without complying with halal rules. “There are claims that U.S. products can enter Indonesia without halal certification. That is simply not true,” Teddy said, adding that all products subject to mandatory halal certification must comply with Indonesian law.
Under existing regulations, products required to be halal-certified must carry halal labels issued either by recognized foreign halal bodies under a mutual recognition framework or by Indonesian authorities.
However, concerns have emerged from the LPPOM MUI, the halal assessment body under the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), over provisions in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) tied to the U.S. trade deal.
According to LPPOM Managing Director Muti Arintawati, Article 2.9 of the MoU suggests potential inconsistencies with Indonesia’s halal regulations. The clause could exempt U.S.-origin cosmetics, medical devices and related distribution services from mandatory halal certification. It may also remove the obligation for non-halal products to carry “non-halal” labels on their packaging.
She added that similar exemptions appear in Article 2.22, including for certain non-animal food products that could be excluded from halal certification requirements, as well as the removal of the obligation for companies to appoint halal supervisors.
Muti warned that such provisions could create an uneven playing field, as domestic producers and foreign suppliers from other countries would remain subject to stricter halal compliance obligations not imposed on U.S. manufacturers.
“This automatically creates an imbalance in competition,” she said, adding that other countries could demand similar treatment. There is also potential for disputes at the World Trade Organization if the arrangement is viewed as discriminatory.
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