Indonesia Halal Update: MRA signing of Dutch HCBs
The Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) held Halal-20 or H20 on 9-12 October 2024 at ICE BSD, Tangerang, Banten. Head of BPJPH Muhammad Aqil Irham stated that there are 150 halal institutions from abroad that participated in the annual international forum. In the margin of H20 event, 3 Dutch Halal Certification Bodies (HCBs), Total Quality Halal Correct Certification (TQHCC), Halal Feed and Food Inspection Authority, and Halal Quality Control Group (HQC), headquartered in the Netherlands - have signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with BPJPH on 10 October 2024. This agreement will ease the process for Dutch companies seeking halal certification.
In addition to the signing of the MRA between BPJPH and various international halal institutions, this forum also features a halal expo showcasing halal products, international seminars, business matchmaking for halal industry stakeholders, coaching clinics for LHLN, and halal consultation services for the public and businesses.
An international seminar, themed "Halal Traceability in The Global Supply Chain: Technology Innovations" included Dr. Marco Tieman, CEO of LBB International, a supply chain strategy consulting and research firm, as a featured speaker.
At the international conference, there was extensive discussion on how technological innovation has the potential to play a key role in ensuring optimal halal traceability within the global halal supply chain.
H20 2024 was not only focus on business and regulatory issues but also showcase the richness of Indonesian culture to international delegates. The event featured chamber keroncong music and an interactive angklung performance during the gala dinner, along with a taste of Indonesia's diverse cuisine, one of the country's key tourist attractions. Through this comprehensive event, BPJPH aims to highlight not only Indonesia's halal industry but also its rich cultural and culinary heritage to the international community.
The embassy has been notified about a potential change in the effective date for the implementation of halal regulations in Indonesia. However, we have yet to receive an official letter confirming this update. We are now waiting for confirmation of the change—stay tuned for further news.