Minister Of Religion Affirms That Medicines And Cosmetics Are Mandatory To Have Halal Certification Starting Today

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said medicinal products, cosmetics and consumer goods are required to have halal certification starting today in accordance with the mandate of Government Regulation (PP) Number 39 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of the Halal Product Assurance Sector.

"The obligation to be certified halal for medicines, cosmetics and consumer goods has come into effect, along with the start of the second phase of the obligation to be certified halal, starting from October 17, 2021, to the closest on October 17, 2026," said Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in his statement, cited from Antara, Sunday.

According to him, this phase aims to ensure that the obligation to be certified halal for products as stipulated by regulations is carried out properly and avoids potential difficulties, especially for business actors in maintaining the continuity and development of their business.

"The product scope in the Halal Product Guarantee is very broad, covering food, beverages, drugs, cosmetics, chemical products, biological products, genetically engineered products, as well as goods used, used, or utilized by the public. This phasing policy is a necessity in mandatory implementation halal certification," said the Minister of Religion.

The Head of the Ministry of Religion's Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH), Muhammad Aqil Irham added, the stages of halal certification obligations for product types are regulated in more detail in Government Regulation (PP) Number 39 of 2021. Article 139, for example, stipulates that halal certification obligations for product types are carried out in stages. The first phase consists of (a) food and beverage products; (b) raw materials, food additives, and auxiliary materials for food and beverage products; and (c) the results of the slaughter and slaughtering services.

Article 140 stipulates that the phasing of the obligation to be certified halal for food, beverage, slaughter products, and slaughter services starts from October 17, 2019, to October 17, 2024.

The second stage of the obligation to be certified halal is regulated in Article 141 of PP Number 39 of 2021. The two stages of the obligation to be certified halal include various types of products ranging from traditional medicines, health supplements, over-the-counter drugs to used goods.

"On the birthday of BPJPH, I invite all parties, both ministries/agencies, local governments, business actors, universities, mass organizations, and all levels of society to welcome the stages of these two halal-certified obligations with a shared commitment to continue to work together to support the successful implementation of product guarantees. Halal in Indonesia, with the motto Ikhlas Charity, Professional Work, Maximum Results," said Aqil Irham.