Technical Flow of Halal Certification from Registration to Certificate

Many business actors have prepared documents but do not yet understand the sequence of stages that must be followed. As a result, files are sent to the wrong party or they wait without clarity. This article outlines the technical flow of halal certification in sequence.

Who Has Authority

There are three parties with different roles that do not replace one another.

• BPJPH receives applications and issues halal certificates.
• LPH (Lembaga Pemeriksa Halal – Halal Inspection Agency) conducts inspection and testing of product halalness.
• Komisi Fatwa MUI or Komite Fatwa Produk Halal determines product halalness through a fatwa session.

A certificate is only valid if issued by BPJPH. Conversely, halal determination is not the authority of BPJPH or LPH. Understanding this division prevents business actors from taking the wrong path.

Stage 1: Preparing the System Foundation

Before submitting an application, business actors prepare the Sistem Jaminan Produk Halal (SJPH – Halal Product Assurance System). The main reference is the Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 57 of 2021 concerning Criteria for the Halal Product Assurance System, which was later amended by Kepka 20/2023.

SJPH contains five criteria:

1. Commitment and responsibility
2. Materials
3. Halal product process
4. Product
5. Monitoring and evaluation

The materials criterion usually takes the most time. This is where business actors map critical points, namely materials whose status depends on their origin. Four examples that often appear:

• Taurine — an amino acid in energy drinks; it is now generally synthetic, but historically came from bovine bile.
• Whey and caseinate — milk derivatives that are themselves halal, but the cheese-making process from which they are sourced may use animal rennet.
• Lecithin (E322) — an emulsifier generally from soy, but some from egg yolk or animal fat.
• Perfume or fragrance ingredients — cosmetic fragrances that generally use high-alcohol solvents and may contain animal musk.

For each risky material, collect origin documents, specifications, and supplier halal certificates if available.

Stage 2: Submitting the Application

The halal certification application is submitted to BPJPH. The product groups required to have halal certification along with their phasing are stipulated in the Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs Number 748 of 2021, as amended by KMA 944/2024. Make sure your product type is included and know its mandatory phase.

Attach documents according to the product type. For processed products, these generally include a list of materials, production process flow, and supporting documents for materials.

Stage 3: Inspection by LPH

BPJPH assigns LPH to inspect the product. The appointed LPH must be accredited. LPH accreditation guidelines are regulated in the Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 78 of 2025, which refers to SNI ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and contains requirements, Pratama and Utama qualifications, scope of competence, costs, application flow, surveillance, and witness assessment.

During inspection, halal auditors carry out, among other things:

• Trace material and supplier documents
• Examine the production process flow, including potential cross-contamination
• Assess the conformity of SJPH implementation on site
• Take samples for testing if needed

The process of establishment, accreditation, scope of activities, and revocation of LPH approval, as well as the appointment and dismissal of halal auditors, is regulated in Government Regulation Number 42 of 2024 as a replacement for PP 39/2021.

Stage 4: Halal Determination

The results of the LPH inspection become material for the fatwa session. Komisi Fatwa MUI or Komite Fatwa Produk Halal determines product halalness. Business actors do not need to attend this stage, but the completeness of documents from the previous stage greatly determines the smoothness of the process.

Stage 5: Certificate Issuance

After halalness is determined, BPJPH issues the halal certificate. The certificate applies to the products listed in it, not automatically to the company's entire product line.

After the Certificate Is Issued

The certificate is not the end point. The monitoring and evaluation criteria in SJPH require business actors to maintain consistency. Changes in suppliers, formulas, or production processes need to be recorded and assessed for their impact on the product's halal status. Regular internal audits help ensure the system keeps running before being inspected by external parties.

For those who want to manage all SJPH criteria in one application, including material registry, critical points, and BPJPH certification readiness, the SJPH platform from IndoHalal.id can be an option.