Understanding BPJPH Halal Certification for Cosmetics

Halal certification has become one of the most important market-access requirements for cosmetic brands looking to enter or expand in Indonesia. With the mandatory deadline set for October 17, 2026, International producers — large or small — need to understand how the system works, who the key authorities are, and what the certification process involves. This guide offers a structured overview, written specifically for International cosmetic professionals.

1. Why Indonesia Matters

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country and one of the fastest-growing cosmetic markets in Southeast Asia. The Indonesian halal economy is forecast to grow into one of the world's largest by 2030. For International cosmetic brands, the country represents both a strategic opportunity and a regulatory requirement that can no longer be deferred.

2. The Legal Foundation

Indonesia's halal certification framework is built on several key pieces of legislation:

• Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, the foundational law mandating halal certification for products entering the Indonesian market

• Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024, which formalized the implementation timeline and product categories

• Various BPJPH Regulations detailing technical and procedural requirements

Under the phased implementation, cosmetics are classified as non-food consumer products with mandatory halal compliance after October 17, 2026.

3. Who Are the Key Authorities?

Three institutions form the backbone of the certification system, each with a distinct role:

• BPJPH (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal)

  The Halal Product Assurance Agency, operating under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. It is the only authority empowered to issue, manage, and revoke Indonesia's official Halal Certificates. BPJPH manages the SIHALAL online platform where applications are submitted and processed.

• LPH (Lembaga Pemeriksa Halal)

  The Halal Inspection Bodies that conduct technical audits, examining ingredients, production processes, and supply chains. LPPOM is the most well-known, but several other accredited LPH operate in Indonesia and abroad.

• MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia)

  The Indonesian Ulema Council, which provides the religious validation. It is not a government body, it is an independent Islamic scholarly council that issues the halal fatwa after the technical audit is complete.

4. The October 2026 Deadline: What It Really Means

Under Government Regulation Number 42 of 2024, after October 17, 2026, a number of products must have halal certification, including medicinal products, cosmetics, chemical products, genetically engineered products, and consumer goods.

In practice, this means:

• All cosmetic products circulated, distributed, or sold in Indonesia must hold a valid halal certificate

• The rule applies equally to domestic and imported products

• Non-compliant products risk being withdrawn from the market, blocked at customs, or banned from major retailers and e-commerce platforms

5. How International Brands Apply

A critical point for foreign producers: foreign companies cannot submit a halal certification application to BPJPH independently. International brands have two main pathways:

Pathway A — Certify in Indonesia via BPJPH and a recognized LPH

The brand works with an Indonesian importer or local representative, submits via the SIHALAL platform, and undergoes audits by an accredited LPH (which may include on-site audits at the their production facility).

Pathway B — Use a foreign halal certifier recognized by BPJPH

Several European, American, and other halal certification bodies have been accredited by BPJPH. Brands can certify through these bodies in their home country, and the certificate is then registered with BPJPH for recognition in Indonesia.

Choosing between the two depends on cost, timeline, and whether your brand already works with a recognized certifier.

6. The Certification Process — A Simplified View

While each project has its specifics, the typical flow looks like this:

1. Preparation: ingredient audit, supplier documentation review, formulation check

2. Application: submission via SIHALAL or through a recognized foreign certifier

3. Audit: technical assessment by the LPH (document review + on-site visit if required)

4. Fatwa: religious validation issued by MUI

5. Certificate Issuance: by BPJPH

6. Labeling: application of the official halal logo on packaging

The full process typically takes 3 to 6 months, depending on complexity and the readiness of supporting documents.

7. The Most Common Stumbling Blocks

International brands often encounter the same challenges:

• Incomplete supplier documentation — especially for raw materials, where halal status of upstream suppliers isn't documented

• Animal-derived ingredients without traceable halal sourcing — collagen, glycerin, keratin, certain fatty acids

• Alcohol-related substances — which require careful evaluation of source and concentration

• Lack of segregation — when production lines also handle non-halal products without proper separation

• Misalignment between BPOM and BPJPH — cosmetics in Indonesia must also comply with BPOM (the food and drug authority), creating a dual compliance obligation

8. What International Brands Should Do Now

With the deadline approaching, the practical steps are clear:

• Audit your portfolio: identify which products are intended for the Indonesian market

• Review your INCI lists: flag ingredients that may pose halal compliance issues

• Map your supply chain: gather halal documentation from raw material suppliers

• Choose your certification pathway: BPJPH directly or via a recognized foreign certifier

• Plan your timeline: allow 6–9 months from preparation to certificate in hand

Brands that delay risk being shut out of the market in late 2026, while early movers can use halal certification as both a compliance tool and a marketing asset.

9. Looking Ahead

Halal certification in Indonesia is not a temporary trend or a regulatory hurdle to be navigated once and forgotten. It is increasingly seen as part of a broader global standard for product quality, traceability, and consumer trust.

For European cosmetic brands willing to engage seriously with the Indonesian market, the certification process is demanding but the long-term commercial opportunity is significant.

Have a specific question about your products or supply chain? You're welcome to reach out through our contact page — we're happy to help point you in the right direction.

→ Contact us