News Brief
The Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) has issued Circular Letter No. 2 of 2026 regarding the mechanism for determining product categories in the registration of foreign halal certificates (Sertifikat Halal Luar Negeri – SHLN) for products that are not yet specified under Indonesia’s existing halal regulatory classifications. The circular, which came into effect immediately upon issuance, aims to provide greater clarity in the registration process for imported products and was officially released on February 20, 2026.
The circular addresses challenges arising from the rapid development of global products, where certain items with new or unique characteristics may not yet be explicitly listed in Indonesia’s regulatory framework, either under the list of product types subject to mandatory halal certification or the list of materials exempted from the obligation. In such cases, uncertainty may arise when importers attempt to register foreign halal certificates.
Through this guidance, BPJPH provides a mechanism to help determine the appropriate product category for such products and ensure that each registered product is classified based on its function and intended use within Indonesia’s halal assurance system.
SHLN Registration Requirements for Imported Products
Under the circular, applications for SHLN registration should generally follow the existing product classification framework for mandatory halal certification. These classifications are primarily based on several key regulations, including:
Decree of the Minister of Religion No. 944 of 2024 (amending Decree of the Minister of Religion No. 748 of 2021) on types of products required to obtain halal certification,
Decree of the Head of BPJPH No. 307 of 2025 concerning Harmonized System codes for product types subject to mandatory halal certification, and
Decree of the Minister of Religion No. 1360 of 2021 on materials exempted from halal certification obligations.
Key Points of the Circular Letter No. 2 of 2026
Alignment with Existing Product Classifications
Applications for SHLN registration must correspond to the established categories of products subject to mandatory halal certification or to the list of materials exempted from halal certification obligations.
Reference to Detailed Product Classifications
The categories of products required to obtain halal certification already contain detailed product classifications that serve as the primary reference in determining the appropriate product category.
Submission of Supporting Documents for Unlisted Products
If a product is not included in the detailed list of products subject to mandatory halal certification and is also not listed among materials exempted from halal certification, the importer or official representative in Indonesia must submit supporting documentation to BPJPH for category determination.
Required Supporting Documentation
Applicants must provide a declaration letter from the producer, importer, or official representative explaining the proposed product category, ingredient composition, and/or production process. Technical documents such as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), or other documentation verifying ingredient composition must also be attached.
These documents will be used by BPJPH to evaluate the product characteristics and determine the most appropriate regulatory classification for the purpose of SHLN registration.
Implications and Recommendations for Importers
From a regulatory perspective, the circular provides additional procedural clarity for companies registering foreign halal certificates for products that are not yet covered under Indonesia’s existing product classification system. Importers and official representatives are therefore encouraged to prepare comprehensive product information and supporting technical documentation when submitting SHLN registrations to facilitate BPJPH’s evaluation and avoid potential delays in determining the appropriate regulatory category.
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