Halal Certification Process: Understand the two critical requirements & categories

Halal Certification Processhas become an unavoidable obligation for business actors in Indonesia. In line with the full implementation of the Halal Product Assurance (JPH) regulation, a shallow understanding is no longer adequate. Many businesspeople are still mistaken, considering 'halal' to be limited to the absence of pork or alcohol.

In fact, the reality is far more complex. The halal status of a product is not determined solely by its basic ingredients. This status covers the entire production ecosystem, from upstream to downstream, which demands transparency and high discipline.

Dissecting the Two Main Pillars in the Halal Certification Process

Understanding the essence of Halal Product Assurance (JPH) means understanding the two fundamental pillars that support it. The Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) has set clear standards that certification is not merely a label, but a commitment to an integrated system.

These two pillars, raw materials and the production process, must be fulfilled simultaneously. A failure in any one aspect will automatically invalidate the product's halal status, even though the other aspects have been fulfilled perfectly.

Critical Requirement 1: Halal Raw Material Assurance

The first and most fundamental pillar is the halal status of the raw materials. This includes everything that comes into contact with the product. Not only main ingredients such as meat or flour, but also additional ingredients that are often overlooked. This includes preservatives, flavorings, colorings, up toprocessing aid(auxiliary materials) that may be used during production.

A product is guaranteed not to contain haram elements as prescribed by Sharia. This includes pork and all of its derivatives (such as gelatin, lecithin, or pork collagen),intoxicant(alcohol) that intoxicates, blood, and carrion (an animal that died not through slaughter in accordance with Sharia). The biggest challenge here is traceability ortraceability.

Businesses are required to prove the origin of every material. Often, this requires supporting documents, such as a halal certificate from the raw material supplier itself. If your flour or instant seasoning supplier is not certified, that will hinder.Halal Certification Processyour final product. This creates a domino effect that demands halal awareness across the entire supply chain.

Critical Requirement 2: The Importance of the 'Pure' Production Process.

This is a pillar that often traps entrepreneurs. Many people feel safe because they only use halal ingredients. However, they forgot thatHalal Certification Processalso assess the ritual purity (thaharah) of facilities and workflows. Production facilities, equipment, and all workflows must be ensured to be free from impurities or non-halal substances.

The simplest example is the use of cooking tools. A restaurant could possibly cook chicken (halal ingredients). However, if the same pan, knife, or oil had previously been used to cook pork, then that chicken becomes contaminated with ritual impurity and its status becomes not halal. This principle applies universally across all scales of industry.

Cross-contamination is the main enemy in this process. Therefore, the implementation of the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH) at Insimenmen becomes mandatory. This includes the separation of storage areas, differences in work tools, and strict equipment washing procedures to prevent cross-contamination of halal and non-halal ingredients. Without a pure process, even 100% halal raw materials would be wasted.

Product Categories That Must Undergo the Halal Certification Process

The obligation for halal certification in Indonesia has a very broad scope, regulated byLaw No. 33 of 2014and its derivative regulations. In essence, almost all products and services circulating and traded in Indonesia are required to have a halal certificate, which is being implemented gradually.

This is not only limited to food products sold at retail. This obligation also touches the service sector that is directly related to public consumption. Understanding this category is crucial so that businesspeople do not take the wrong step.

Processed Foods and Packaged Beverages Sector

This is the most obvious category and the main focus. Processed food products such as snacks, frozen foods, instant seasonings, bread, and cakes are the first to be highlighted. The complexity of the additives in these products makes certification an absolute guarantee for consumers.

The same applies to all types of packaged beverages. Products such as juice, tea, instant coffee, carbonated drinks, and energy drinks must go throughHalal Certification ProcessCritical points are often found in the use of fruit concentrates, flavorings, or sweeteners that may involve non-halal processes or additives.

In addition to finished products, industrial raw materials such as flour, sugar, oil, and food additives (BTP) must also be certified. This is important because these materials will become inputs for other industries. This upstream-level certification will facilitate downstream-level certification.

Service Sector: From Restaurants to Slaughterhouses

The certification obligation does not end with the product on the shelf. The catering services sector (food service) has also become the main target. This includes restaurants, cafes, catering services, canteens in offices or factories, as well as hotel kitchens. For this sector, the biggest challenge is maintaining the consistency of the production process that is 'pure' every day.

The auditor will not only inspect the incoming raw materials. They will comprehensively evaluate the kitchen layout, the storage methods in the warehouse (separated between raw ingredients and cooked ingredients), down to how the food is handled by the chef. This is a system audit, not just a product audit.

Further upstream, slaughtering services or slaughterhouses (RPH) play a vital role. The abattoir must be certified to ensure that the slaughtering process of poultry and ruminants has been carried out in accordance with Islamic Sharia. If the slaughtering process at the slaughterhouse is not halal, then all meat derivatives automatically become not halal, regardless of how they are prepared at the restaurant.

Administrative Challenges and Solutions for Professional Mentoring

Now it is clear thatHalal Certification ProcessIt's not a simple matter. Dual requirements for materials and processes, in addition to the very broad category coverage, create significant administrative and operational challenges.

This burden feels heavier for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that often have limited resources. They must navigate bureaucracy, document every material, and overhaul the production facilities if necessary.

The Complexity of Implementing the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH)

The main requirement for applying for certification is the implementation of the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH). This is not merely a document, but a living management system that must be run in the company. Businesses are required to prepare the SJPH manual, appoint an internal Halal Supervisor, and provide training to all employees.

Documentation is the key. Businesses must collect supporting documents for each raw material, the quantity of which can be tens, even hundreds. They must create a process flow diagram for the production process to identify haram critical points (critical haram points).

Failure is often not due to ill will, but rather due to carelessness in administration. Many registrations are delayed or rejected due to incomplete documents or the SJPH implementation in the field that does not conform to what is written in the manual. This wastes time, energy, and money.

Choosing the Right Partner for the Halal Certification Process

Ensuring that every material and the production process flow are 100% halal requires high precision. One of the small steps that is overlooked can delay the entire registration process. This is where professional mentoring plays a crucial role.

You don't have to worry about thinking through this complexity on your own. Business actors should focus on business development, product innovation, and marketing strategies. Let the technical and administrative aspects of certification be handled by the experts.

Professional support services, such as those provided by Insimen, are designed to take over that burden. The expert team will guide each stage, from document preparation, SJPH implementation, to on-site audit support. This partnership ensures your business meets all requirements and passes BPJPH verification smoothly and efficiently.

to understandHalal Certification ProcessHolistically, it is the key to success in the Indonesian market today. This is a comprehensive system that assesses the halal status of raw materials as well as the purity of the production process across various industry categories.

Don't let administrative complexity hinder your business! Insimen is here to help you. We are ready to be your partner in handling the Halal Certification process from start to finish. Our team of experts will guide you through every step, ensuring your business meets all the requirements and earns the full trust of consumers.

Ready to move up a grade with a halal certificate? Contact Insimen today for a free consultation!

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