In more than 57 countries, Halal certification is already mandatory or constitutes a preferential requirement for importation. This is a regulatory transformation affecting a growing number of sectors, markets, and supply chains.
What is Halal Certification
HALAL certification is today a strategic tool for companies that wish to operate in a structured way in majority-Muslim markets and, more broadly, in an increasingly international context focused on transparency, traceability, and compliance with ethical standards.
The term HALAL refers to what is lawful and permitted under Islamic law (Sharia). When applied to products and business processes, HALAL certification attests that raw materials, processing, storage, and distribution comply with the required standards.
The Global Market
The Muslim world has more than 2 billion consumers, spread across the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Europe.
In many countries, HALAL certification:
- is mandatory for importation
- is required by distributors, retail chains, and marketplaces
- constitutes a preferential requirement over non-certified competitors
HALAL is therefore not merely a religious matter, but a key factor for market access.
The Middle East and North Africa have been applying mandatory Halal standards for imports for years. Malaysia and Singapore have developed some of the most rigorous and internationally recognised certification systems in the world. Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan are growing markets with an increasingly regulated domestic demand. In Europe, demand is rising from the Muslim community and from a large-scale distribution sector that is increasingly attentive to ethical standards and traceability.
The New Obligation in Indonesia
With over 227 million Muslims — the largest Muslim community in the world — Indonesia has introduced a precise schedule of Halal certification obligations, based on Law No. 33/2014 on the Guarantee of Halal Products and governed by subsequent implementing regulations, including Government Regulation No. 42/2024.
| Category | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Food, beverages, slaughterhouse services | 17 October 2024 (already in force) |
| Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, clothing, accessories, medical devices | 17 October 2026 |
| Additional categories of consumer goods | by 2029 |
Every product that enters, circulates, or is sold in Indonesia must be Halal certified, or must mandatorily bear a “non-Halal” label, in accordance with the deadlines set out in the regulatory calendar above. The obligation also applies to imported products: certificates issued by foreign bodies recognised by BPJPH are valid, subject to registration on the SIHALAL portal.
The Ministry of Industry is implementing Phase II of the Roadmap for the development of the Halal industry (2025–2029), with the stated goal of transforming Indonesia into a global hub for the sector — both as a production and regulatory reference point.
Who Does It Apply To?
Halal certification does not only concern the food sector. Verification criteria vary by category, but the logic is the same: control of raw materials and components, separation of processing operations, contamination risk management, traceability, and process compliance throughout the entire supply chain.
When a product, process, or material used along the supply chain involves substances of animal origin, additives, excipients, or untraced packaging materials, Halal certification requires a thorough verification.
Analytical is an Approved Consultancy Body for Halal Certification
Analytical operates as an approved consultancy body, supporting companies at every stage of the certification process.
The process is structured and transparent:
- Administrative phase: initial contact, completion of the questionnaire, definition of the quote, signing of the contract.
- Document review: technical verification of ingredients, processes, and suppliers. Possible request for additional documentation.
- On-site audit: on-site inspection by the certification body, interviews with staff, document verification.
- Certificate issuance: final assessment, issuance of the Halal certificate, and definition of the maintenance plan.
Analytical manages the regulatory complexity of each target market. The client arrives certified, documented, and ready to operate.
Halal certification is a test. We help you pass it.