Indonesia Pushes Halal Certification to 2028: What Brands Should Do Now

Did the 2026 deadline actually take effect?

No. The original date was 17 October 2026 under Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024, which implements Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance. On 16 October 2026, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs announced that several categories would move to 2028. The change amends Articles 160 and 161 of the regulation, and it was made after input from industry associations and to allow Indonesia’s halal certification ecosystem more time to be ready.

Which products and services are now covered, and when?

The obligation is organised by product category, not by trademark class. The table below shows the current position. Always confirm your product category with a specialist before filing, because classification affects which deadline applies.

What the extension does not change

Over-the-counter medicines remain on a 17 October 2029 deadline, and prescription medicines, excluding psychotropic drugs, remain on 17 October 2034. Food and beverages from micro and small enterprises move to 2028, but that does not mean they can wait. Early applications help businesses find gaps in ingredients and documentation while there is still time to fix them.

Why did Indonesia extend the timeline?

Officials pointed to the readiness of the certification ecosystem, including the number of certified products, inspection capacity and the recognition of foreign halal bodies. Industry feedback also played a role. For brands, the reason matters less than the signal: Indonesia intends to enforce the rules, and the extension is a planning window rather than an exit.

Our take: Treat 2028 as the hard deadline. Brands that wait until 2027 will compete with everyone else for the same certification bodies and consultants.

Does halal certification affect a trademark?

Halal certification does not change trademark ownership or registration. Your Indonesian trademark, if registered, continues to protect your brand name and logo. The practical risk is operational rather than legal. If the product name on your packaging, the certificate and the registered mark do not match, you create confusion for regulators, distributors and consumers.

• Check that the brand name on the certificate matches the name on the packaging and the trademark record.
• Confirm that the product variant certified is the same variant you sell, including flavours, shades and sizes.
• Review any co-branding or private-label arrangements, since the certified entity may differ from the brand owner.

What happens if a product is not compliant?

Non-compliant products face administrative sanctions. Under BPJPH Regulation No. 2 of 2026, the enforcement framework includes the withdrawal of goods from circulation. Imported products also face pre-shipment checks in some cases, so compliance is needed before goods reach the market, not after.

A five-step plan for brands entering Indonesia

Step 1: Map every product to its category

List each SKU and match it to the category in the table. Products can fall into more than one category, so record the reasoning.

Step 2: Check foreign certificates early

If you already hold a halal certificate from abroad, confirm that the issuing body is recognised by BPJPH. This single check can save months.

Step 3: Appoint a local representative

Foreign applicants generally work through a local representative, so choose one who understands both the certification process and your product category.

Step 4: Align labels, names and trademarks

Review packaging, product names and trademark records together. Consistency prevents delays and disputes.

Step 5: Plan supply chain documentation

Ingredient declarations, supplier certificates and production records often take the longest to gather. Start with raw materials and work outward.

Conclusion

Indonesia has given brands more time, but not less work. The obligation for cosmetics, supplements, chemicals and most consumer goods remains, and the new deadline of October 2028 is firm. Companies that map their products, verify foreign certificates and align their brand records now will enter the market with fewer surprises. info@legacypartners.global