The global halal market demands more than just a label. Buyers in destination countries generally request evidence that the supply chain is free from materials whose halal status is unclear. For Indonesia's export-oriented industry, the ability to trace material origins is a determining factor.
Why Critical Point Materials Determine Exports
Critical point materials are materials whose halal status depends on their source or production process. Such materials cannot be assessed by name alone. There must be documents explaining origin, process, and supporting certificates.
When a product is to be exported, the destination country may request information on every component. If one material's origin cannot be explained, the entire product risks being held. Therefore, managing critical points is not merely a matter for the production kitchen, but part of market strategy.
Four Materials That Often Draw Attention
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid used in energy drinks and fitness supplements. Historically this material came from bovine bile, but today it is generally produced synthetically through chemical engineering. Nevertheless, verification is still required: manufacturers need to ensure the taurine used is a synthetic version that has been halal-certified.
Pepsin
Pepsin is a protein-digesting enzyme used in the cheese industry and some pharmaceutical products. Its source can be pig stomach or bovine stomach. Because its status depends on the source, the industry needs to trace the origin of this enzyme back to the supplier. Available alternatives include pepsin from halal-certified bovine stomach or microbial protease enzymes.
Yeast
Yeast is generally halal because it is a fermentation microorganism. What needs to be examined is the growth medium. Yeast grown on halal-certified plant-based media has become the standard in modern industry, but manufacturers still need to request confirmation from suppliers.
Albumin
Albumin from egg white is generally halal and does not require a substitute. This material is widely used in bakery products such as meringue and macaron, as well as in processed meat and certain pharmaceutical products. Ensure the label explicitly states "egg albumin" or "albumen" so it is not confused with albumin from other sources.
The Supporting Regulatory Framework
On the regulatory side, the halal certification obligation in Indonesia rests on Law Number 6 of 2023, which is the enactment of the Job Creation Perppu into law and constitutes the latest amendment to Law 33/2014. This regulation simplifies the certification process, introduces a halal statement scheme for micro and small enterprises, and opens the way for the Halal Product Fatwa Committee.
For implementation on the business side, the main reference is the Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 57 of 2021 on the Criteria for the Halal Product Assurance System, which contains five criteria: commitment and responsibility, materials, halal product processes, products, and monitoring and evaluation. This decree has been amended by Kepka 20/2023.
On the institutional side, the Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 78 of 2025 regulates guidelines for the accreditation of Halal Inspection Bodies (LPH), covering requirements, Pratama and Utama qualifications, scope of competence, costs, application flow, surveillance, and witness assessment, with reference to SNI ISO/IEC 17065:2012. Meanwhile, the Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 243 of 2025 establishes 27 types of BPJPH services along with requirements, timeframes, and tariffs, and revokes Kepka 120/2022.
Consequences for Industry
Three things that typically become homework for export-oriented industry:
- Material traceability. Every critical point requires documents explaining origin and status, from supplier to finished product.
- System readiness. SJPH criteria demand commitment, material management, processes, products, and monitoring and evaluation that run consistently, not only during audits.
- Understanding the service flow. With service standards that set requirements, timeframes, and tariffs, businesses can plan certification processing more measurably.
Closing Gaps Before Products Depart
Export markets leave no room for materials that cannot be explained. Organizing material supply at critical points from the start is cheaper than holding up shipments later. It should be noted that the determination of halalness is the authority of the MUI Fatwa Commission or the Halal Product Fatwa Committee, and certificates are only issued by BPJPH.
To systematically tidy up this side, the SJPH platform from IndoHalal.id helps businesses manage SJPH criteria in a single application, from halal policy, material registry, critical points, internal audits, to BPJPH certification readiness.