The government is pushing for the certification of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) products with the objective of protecting Muslim producers and customers, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Teten Masduki emphasized.
“The goal of halal certification is to protect Muslims, both as consumers and producers,” he remarked in Jakarta.
Masduki noted that his side would coordinate with various parties, including the Trade Ministry and the Halal Product Guarantee Organizing Agency (BPJPH) of the Religious Affairs Ministry, for discussion on determining October 2024 as the deadline for the certification, which he deemed difficult to achieve.
“Hence, I suggest that we take measures to accelerate, such as by making a ‘green path’ for MSMEs whose raw materials are essentially halal, meaning they will be allowed to make self-declarations,” he pointed out.
That way, he said, MSME actors, especially those offering food products, can obtain halal certificates without the need to undergo long procedures.
Masduki placed emphasis on food and beverage MSMEs since they have been dominant among other types of MSMEs in Indonesia.
“I believe we need to remind ourselves that the goal of the halal certification is to protect Muslims from forbidden products. In fact, the majority of our MSME actors are Muslims,” he remarked.
Head of the Halal Registration and Certification Center of the BPJPH Siti Aminah stated that all food and beverage products, including those offered by MSMEs, must possess certificates of halal before October 18, 2024.
To that end, she said, the BPJPH and other relevant stakeholders will continue to facilitate MSMEs to acquire halal certificates for free, under applicable terms and conditions.— Antara
