In this Inside Indonesia edition, you will get insights on the latest updates in Indonesia, the MRA’s signed between HQC and the BPJPH, an upcoming webinar, and the likely postponement of Law Nr. 33/2014.
HQC has signed 9 MRA’s with the BPJPH during the H20 event
During this year’s annual H20 event, the primary gathering organized by the BPJPH to engage key stakeholders in the Halal industry, a special signing ceremony was held for Halal Certification Bodies (HCBs) to formalize their Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with BPJPH.
The 2024 H20 event took place from October 9 to October 12, bringing together essential industry representatives. The MRA, or Mutual Recognition Agreement, is a framework designed to facilitate trade between signatory parties and promote greater international harmonization.
The H20 was organized along with the Trade Expo Indonesia event.
MRAs are signed only when an HCB successfully completes an assessment by BPJPH, demonstrating full compliance with their certification requirements. This year, 52 HCBs were invited to participate in the MRA signing during the event.
On October 10, HQC signed MRAs for nine of its offices.
As noted in our recent video, 11 HQC offices in total applied for BPJPH accreditation, and nine of these were approved before the October 10th signing.
The following HQC offices are now officially recognized through MRAs:
- The Netherlands
- Germany
- France
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Italy
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Austria
The remaining two offices, Poland and Ireland, are currently undergoing the final stages of assessment and are expected to be completed shortly.
In summary, the first nine HQC offices are now ready to continue their certification activities under BPJPH’s recognition.
The Status of Law Nr. 33/2014
Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024, Article 160 (currently available only in Bahasa), has officially postponed the implementation of the “Halal Law” (Law No. 33/2014) until no later than October 2026.
Article 160 describes:
(1) For medium and large business actors, the staging of halalcertified obligations for food products, beverages, slaughter
products, and slaughter services starts from October 17, 2019 to October 17, 2024.
(2) For micro and small business actors, the staging of halalcertified obligations for food products, beverages, slaughter
products, and slaughter services starts from October 17, 2019 to October 17, 2026.
(3) Halal certification obligations for food products, beverages, slaughter products, and slaughter services originating from
abroad are determined by the Minister no later than October 17, 2026 after considering the completion of mutual recognition of Halal Certification.
(4) Determination of halal-certified obligations as referred to in paragraph (3) shall be carried out after coordinating with relevant ministries/agencies.
In summary:
This postponement means that foreign companies have until October 2026 to fully comply with Law No. 33/2014. However, for medium and large businesses (including most multinational corporations), the law will still be enforced starting from October 17, 2024.
The postponement for foreign companies, including Halal Certification Bodies (HCBs), allows cross-border operations to continue without restrictions until further notice. Nevertheless, it is essential that HCBs undergo assessment and obtain accreditation from BPJPH to avoid any disruptions, as local companies may verify the accreditation status of foreign bodies.
Trade Expo Indonesia and HQC’s Booth
At the annual Trade Expo Indonesia, nations from around the world gather to celebrate Indonesia’s prominent role as a vital trading partner on the global stage.
The event’s special opening ceremony featured a keynote speech by the President of Indonesia, who officially inaugurated the expo. Some of our members had the privilege of meeting the President and the Minister of Religious Affairs in person, further strengthening our connection with this dynamic market.
HQC proudly participated by hosting a booth at the Halal Export Pavilion, where we engaged with local Indonesian businesses, offering support and facilitating information exchange to enhance trade relations between the European Union and the Republic of Indonesia.
We look forward to continuing our support for Indonesian-European trade in the coming years and deepening our collaborative efforts to foster growth and development within the Halal industry.
Register Now for our Next Webinar
To address any questions or concerns our customers may have, we will be hosting a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, October 23, at 10:00 AM (Amsterdam time zone).
While this event is specifically tailored for our customers, we warmly welcome our partners and other interested delegates to join us. The session will feature speakers from HQC, Indonesian stakeholders, European stakeholders, and, pending confirmation, representatives from BPJPH.
We look forward to an engaging and informative session and encourage all attendees to bring their questions for open discussion.
Register for the Zoom Webinar Here
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