Aprindo Regarding Halal Certification Starting October 2024: Maybe Postponed

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo) Roy Nicholas Mandey said, there is the potential to postpone the halal product certification rules in 2024. This is because the implementation of the regulation is close to the inauguration of the elected president and vice president in 2024-2029.

As for October 17, 2024, all products, especially food and beverages, slaughter services and the results of the slaughter, raw materials, additional food and auxiliary materials for food and beverage products, must be certified halal in accordance with Law Number 33 of 2024 Article 4 concerning Halal Product Guarantee.

"The regulation of halal products will be enforced on October 17 by the government. Although the narrative is now developing, it may be postponed because there are still some who ask for time," Roy said at the Halalbihalal event in Spice Manado, Jakarta, Tuesday, May 7.

"Because we know 17 October (2024), then five days later the inauguration of the president and vice president," he continued.

Even so, Roy admitted that he had encouraged retail entrepreneurs, especially MSMEs to have halal certification.

He said his party had collaborated with the Ministry of Religion's Halal Product Service Administration (BPJPH) to help MSMEs make halal certifications.

"But what is clear is that we have prepared every MSME that has food and beverage products in retail, we have encouraged it to have halal certification. Because for MSMEs, halal certification is free," he said.

Based on VOI records, the obligation of halal certificates in October 2024 has pros and cons.

As for the counter, it occurred at the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop UKM)

As the ministry responsible for overseeing MSMEs to have halal certification, this is considered necessary to postpone.

Coordinating Minister for SMEs Teten Masduki predicts that all MSMEs cannot have halal certification in a period of only a short time remaining.

"We predict that it is impossible for MSME actors (to obtain halal certification). So, relaxation is needed, such as postponing their obligations to have halal certification. Because if they don't, they will be involved in legal problems," Teten told reporters when met after the Forwakop discussion regarding the role of MSMEs in Downstreaming the Aquaculture and Agriculture Sector, Friday, March 8.

He suggested that the Ministry of Religion's BPJPH also make it easier for MSMEs to obtain halal certification. For example, for culinary products whose raw materials are of course halal.

"For example, for certain products, it can be accelerated, such as culinary products whose raw materials are halal. Yes, it goes to the green lane and has been given certification. So, they have declared halal," he said.

"For example, selling cassava chips, meatballs. Maybe meatballs have meat or milk, there is still the possibility of pigs appearing, but if the others (MSMEs) just give them convenience," he continued.

According to Teten, the government as a policy maker should make it easier for MSMEs to sell their products, not even making it difficult with this policy.

"So, actually a lot can be made easier, yes, make it easier. MSMEs also don't have the costs, it's been made easier. The government too, yes, don't be arrogant, feel sorry for the people. This, right, is the goal of halal certification to provide protection for Muslims, now Muslims MSMEs are also made difficult," he said.