Halal Certification Guidelines for Processed Food and Beverages Introduced: Products Containing Non-Haram Ingredients Now Required to Secure Halal Certification

The Head of the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal – “BPJPH”) has issued Decree No. 78 of 2023 (“Decree 78/2023”) on Guidelines for the Halal Certification of Foods and Beverages That Are Produced Through Processing Activities (“Certification”), which has been in force since 12 September 2023.[1] These new Certification guidelines (“Guidelines”) are comprehensively outlined under the Appendices to Decree 78/2023 and will now serve as a reference for use by a wide range of parties. The Guidelines will hopefully ensure that the overall Certification process is implemented correctly and that products that are being traded across the nation are properly halal certified.[2]