Mandatory halal certification and labeling for consumer goods exported to Indonesia takes effect Oct. 18
Seminar outlines certification procedures, labeling rules and other practical response measures
The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) said Thursday it held the "Indonesia Halal Certification Mandate Response Strategy Seminar" at Trade Tower in Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. About 150 people from exporting companies attended.
Indonesia has been phasing in mandatory halal certification for products distributed and consumed domestically under its Halal Product Assurance Law. The Indonesian government announced in October 2024 that halal certification would become mandatory for food and beverages. The requirement will take full effect Oct. 18 for imported food and beverages as well as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and some household goods.
KITA organized the seminar to give South Korean consumer goods companies policy updates and practical information on the certification process ahead of the deadline, now about a month away. The event featured expert presentations on strategies for South Korean consumer goods companies entering the Indonesian market and on trends in and responses to the mandatory halal certification policy. It also included a session on procedures and practical considerations for obtaining halal certification.
Lee Gook-han, deputy director of KITA's Jakarta office, opened with an overview of Indonesia's halal certification policy and KITA's K-Halal support project. "Indonesia is the world's fourth-most populous country and a promising market for South Korean companies, but various regulations, including the mandatory halal certification, make thorough preparation essential," he said. "We hope companies will make active use of support services, including local market research, through KITA's K-Halal Bridge, operated by our Jakarta office."
Ga Gi-kyung, a senior researcher at the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), stressed that once the mandate takes effect, non-halal products will be required to carry non-halal labeling. New regulations such as pre-shipment conformity assessments will also apply, calling for particular caution. "Using a domestic mutual recognition certification body can reduce the cost and time burden of obtaining certification, but since the scope of recognized items differs by institution, companies must check this in advance," the researcher said.
Park Byeong-guk, chief researcher at Korea Testing Certification (KTC), explained the certification procedures and practical considerations. The researcher suggested that gaining halal certification experience in Indonesia — Southeast Asia's largest halal market — would benefit companies seeking to enter other Muslim markets, including the Middle East.
Jeong Hee-cheol, head of KITA's Trade Promotion Division, said Indonesia holds high potential for South Korean consumer goods but requires thorough preparation given the high regulatory barriers, including certification requirements. "We will continue to strengthen support for K-Halal exports, including holding tailored halal market-entry seminars for regional industries in 11 areas nationwide in the second half of the year," he said.
Meanwhile, KITA has been actively supporting Indonesia-bound exporters through other initiatives. It recently hosted the "K-Halal Global Market Entry Forum" at Trade Tower in Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. KITA also recently organized the "2026 Jakarta K-Premium Consumer Goods Fair" jointly with COEX at the JICC exhibition hall in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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