Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs' Halal Products Assurance (BPJPH) is reviewing its Halal certification program, including the approval of foreign halal certifying bodies (HCBs). BPJPH recently visited the U.S. to conduct on-site assessments of U.S. HCBs to accredit them to issue halal certificates for products destined for the Indonesian market.

Five U.S. HCBs have been audited by BPJPH and are in the review process to complete accreditation. At this time, no U.S. halal certifying body has been approved.

It is expected that after accreditations are approved, BPJPH will prepare a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). Signing of the MRA is expected to occur at the Halal 20 forum event in November this year.

USDEC is closely monitoring the status of the U.S. halal certifiers in Indonesia, and we will provide further information and updates once they are obtained. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Aimee Pinkerton at apinkerton@usdec.org.