As Indonesia continues implementing mandatory halal certification under Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, businesses in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and other relevant sectors must comply with rigorous regulatory and religious standards. This article outlines the official procedure and estimated timeline for halal certification, as mandated by the Indonesian authorities, particularly the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH), the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), and accredited Halal Inspection Agencies (LPH).

Preparation Stage: Internal Compliance and SIHALAL Registration

The preparation stage represents a foundational and indispensable phase in the halal certification process. It involves a comprehensive internal assessment and documentation effort undertaken by the applicant company to ensure full compliance with halal standards before formal submission of the application to the government. This stage is not merely administrative but entails substantial technical, operational, and theological considerations.

At the outset, the company must conduct a detailed identification and classification of all materials used in production, including but not limited to raw materials, ingredients, additives, flavorings, emulsifiers, processing aids, and food-grade packaging components. Each of these items must be traceable to their respective suppliers, and documentary evidence must be available to demonstrate their halal origin or compliance, such as halal certificates issued by accredited foreign halal bodies or supporting declarations for non-animal-derived substances. Materials that are of doubtful status (syubhah), or that originate from non-certified sources must be replaced or verified through recognized halal audit trails to eliminate the risk of contamination or non-compliance.

The applicant is further required to develop and implement a Halal Assurance System (HAS)—a structured and documented management system designed to guarantee that halal integrity is preserved across all stages of production. The HAS must address several critical areas, including procurement procedures, production line management, hygiene and sanitation protocols, traceability systems, control of critical points (CCPs), non-conformity handling, internal audits, and employee training on halal practices. The HAS must be embedded into the company’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and reflect actual practices in daily operations, not merely theoretical guidelines. Failure to operationalize HAS effectively is a common cause of audit failure during the LPH inspection.

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Halal Supervisor (Penyelia Halal)

Integral to the success of HAS implementation is the appointment of a Halal Supervisor (Penyelia Halal). The Halal Supervisor must be a competent and trained individual with the authority to oversee all halal-related activities, monitor the integrity of materials, ensure cleanliness according to Islamic hygiene standards (thaharah), and take corrective action in case of any deviation from halal procedures. The supervisor also acts as the point of contact between the company and regulatory bodies, particularly during the LPH inspection and MUI fatwa deliberation stages. Their presence is often required in pre-audit coordination, document preparation, and clarification meetings.

Once all internal systems, documentation, and personnel readiness are in place, the company proceeds to submit its halal certification application via the SIHALAL online platform maintained by BPJPH. The SIHALAL portal serves as the centralized interface through which applicants upload required documents, track application progress, and receive notifications regarding the audit process. Required documentation typically includes: a complete list of materials and suppliers; production flowcharts; HAS documentation and internal audit reports; SOPs; sanitation and hygiene protocols; business registration and NIB; and a declaration of halal compliance signed by management.

Upon submission, BPJPH will conduct a preliminary administrative review to ensure that the application file is complete, consistent, and formally acceptable for further processing. This review is not a technical evaluation but a gatekeeping function to verify the availability and validity of the submitted materials. Incomplete, inconsistent, or unverifiable applications will be returned for revision, potentially causing delays to the audit timeline.

If the documentation passes administrative screening, BPJPH will formally assign an accredited Halal Inspection Agency (LPH) to the applicant. The assigned LPH will then initiate communication with the company to begin preparations for the mandatory on-site halal inspection, including scheduling, document confirmation, and audit scope alignment.

The importance of the preparation stage cannot be overstated. It forms the backbone of the certification process and determines the efficiency and success of the subsequent audit and fatwa stages. Companies that fail to adequately prepare often face repeated document rejections, prolonged audit delays, and adverse fatwa rulings due to unresolved issues in traceability or process compliance.

The following table outlines the key stages and estimated durations of the halal certification process applicable to commonly for company in Indonesia. This timeline reflects standard procedures under Indonesian halal regulations and is intended to support effective project planning and internal coordination. 

For this reason, ET Consultant strongly advises all applicant companies to treat the preparation phase with the same seriousness as the official inspection itself. Our team is available to assist in conducting internal halal readiness assessments, preparing SIHALAL submissions, validating supplier documentation, and designing HAS frameworks tailored to each company’s unique operational characteristics. Proper planning and professional guidance at this stage will significantly reduce the risk of non-compliance and contribute to a smoother and more efficient halal certification process.

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ET Consultant is a Business Consultant and Legal Consultant Expert that provides support for local and multinational clients to start and manage their business operations in Indonesia. ET Consultant specializes in Business Incorporation, Licensing & Legal, Accounting & Taxes, Immigration, and Advisory Services.

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