Government Discusses Proposal to Postpone Mandatory Halal Certification

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (“Coordinating Minister”) Airlangga Hartarto stated that the government is still discussing a proposal to postpone the implementation of mandatory halal certification, which is currently scheduled to take effect on 18 October 2026. He noted that the government has received a formal letter from the Indonesian Employers Association (“Apindo”) requesting the postponement.

“We will discuss it and announce the outcome afterward,” Airlangga said.

The proposed postponement of the mandatory halal certification requirement is driven by concerns that several industry sectors are not yet prepared to implement the requirement. Airlangga did not rule out the possibility of a postponement if the discussions conclude that the requirement is not yet ready to be implemented. “We will see,” he said.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs,  Pratikno, emphasized that the implementation of mandatory halal certification should not disrupt business continuity or the economy. He stated that the government would review the policy to ensure that halal certification provides certainty not only for consumers but also for producers.

“Regulations that have been jointly adopted should not ultimately create unintended issues or disrupt the economy,” he said.