🔄 IMPORTANT UPDATE
HalalHub.vn’s articles of 13–17 October 2026 on the 18 October 2026 deadline were written on the basis of BPJPH’s official statements at the time (“there will be no postponement”). On 17 October 2026, the Indonesian government announced a change to the timeline. The information in this article replaces the corresponding content of those earlier articles. We will continue to update it once the official amending regulation is issued.
1. What has changed?
According to the announcement by Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs on 17 October 2026 (as reported by ANTARA, CNBC Indonesia and other Indonesian media), the government is amending Articles 160 and 161 of Government Regulation PP 42/2024, pushing the deadline back from 17 October 2026 to 17 October 2028. For imports, the Halal certification obligation applies from 18 October 2028, “taking into account the completion of mutual recognition cooperation on Halal certification”. BPJPH Regulation No. 4/2026 on inspection of every imported shipment, which only took effect on 9 September 2026, will be repealed.
⚠️ A NOTE ON LEGAL STATUS
As of 19 October 2026, the regulation amending PP 42/2024 and the decision repealing BPJPH Regulation No. 4/2026 had not been officially published (according to Bloomberg Technoz). The details in this article are based on the Indonesian government’s announcement as reported in the press. Businesses should wait for the official texts and confirm with their importers and the Vietnam Trade Office in Indonesia before changing their plans.
2. What has not changed?
- The Halal requirement remains; only the deadline has moved. Law No. 33/2014 on Halal Product Assurance is unchanged; 2028 is the new deadline.
- The market still prefers Halal goods. In the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, the Halal mark remains an important selection criterion for consumers and retailers, regardless of the mandatory rules.
- Advice from Indonesian experts: LPPOM MUI urges businesses to continue with certification now rather than wait for the deadline.
- A history of extensions: this is not the first time Indonesia has pushed back the deadline for imports. Businesses should prepare for the 2028 deadline but should not bet on further extensions.
3. The word “MRA” in the new decision: an open door for Vietnam?
The most notable point is that the start date for imports is tied to progress in completing mutual recognition agreements. This suggests Indonesia wants time for its MRA network with trading partners to be ready before enforcement.
For Vietnam, this is a clear opportunity: according to information published up to early 2026, Vietnam and Indonesia have not signed a Halal MRA, and the head of BPJPH has said this is the main reason many Vietnamese fast-moving consumer goods are not yet certified. Meanwhile, Thailand is negotiating an extension of its MRA with Indonesia, Malaysia and Indonesia have set up a joint Halal council, and Saudi Arabia has signed a cooperation addendum with BPJPH on recognition of the Halal mark. The next two years are a “window” for Vietnam to catch up.
If a Vietnam – Indonesia MRA is signed before 2028, Vietnamese businesses could be certified at home and accepted by BPJPH. If not, they will still have to take a detour through a third-country body or be certified directly with BPJPH, at extra time and cost.
4. A “two golden years” roadmap for Vietnamese businesses
| Phase | What to do |
|---|---|
| Right now | Reconfirm with your importer: does your partner still require Halal certification, and have delivery plans changed? Follow the official amending regulation. |
| First 6 months (to April 2027) | Review ingredients and suppliers; build a Halal assurance system on top of existing HACCP or ISO 22000 systems. Choose a certification body that suits the target market. |
| 2027 | Complete certification, giving priority to a JAKIM-recognised body so it can be used right away for Malaysia. Follow progress on a Vietnam – Indonesia MRA. |
| Before October 2028 | Register with BPJPH through your importer (SIHALAL system) under the latest MRA arrangements; standardise labels and documents for each shipment. |
Source: HalalHub.vn recommendations. Timelines may be adjusted in line with Indonesia’s official texts.
5. Conclusion
The extension is time to prepare, not a reason to delay. Businesses that use the next two years to get certified and standardise their operations will be ready as soon as Indonesia opens up under the MRA mechanism, while those who wait will once again be sprinting as in October 2026. At the same time, regulators and industry associations now have more grounds to push for Vietnam – Indonesia MRA negotiations.
Glossary
- BPJPH: Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency.
- PP 42/2024 (Peraturan Pemerintah): the Indonesian government regulation implementing the Halal Product Assurance Law.
- Kemenko Perekonomian: Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.
- MRA (Mutual Recognition Agreement): an agreement on mutual recognition of Halal certification between BPJPH and foreign Halal authorities or bodies.
- LPPOM MUI: the Institute for the Assessment of Food, Drugs and Cosmetics of the Indonesian Ulema Council, one of Indonesia’s largest Halal inspection bodies.
- UMK (Usaha Mikro dan Kecil): micro and small businesses.
- JAKIM: Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, which issues and recognises Halal certification in Malaysia.
- SIHALAL: BPJPH’s online Halal certification registration system.
- HACCP / ISO 22000: international food safety management systems.
References
Legal texts and official sources
- Government of Indonesia – Government Regulation PP 42/2024 on the implementation of Halal product assurance (Articles 160 and 161 being amended; the amending regulation had not been issued at the time of publication)
- BPJPH – Wajib Halal Berlaku 18 Oktober 2026, BPJPH Siapkan Aturan yang Memudahkan Pelaku Usaha (Indonesian; press release issued before the extension decision)
Press and industry analysis (secondary sources, cited as published)
- ANTARA (South Kalimantan) – Pemerintah perpanjang wajib halal 2026 jadi 2028 (Indonesian)
- CNBC Indonesia (18 October 2026) – Wajib Sertifikat Halal Mundur ke 2028, Pemerintah Ungkap Alasannya (Indonesian)
- Liputan6 – Kewajiban Sertifikasi Halal Diundur Oktober 2028, Berikut Ketentuannya (Indonesian)
- Okezone (17 October 2026) – Wajib Halal Diundur Jadi Oktober 2028 (Indonesian)
- GoKepri – Kewajiban Sertifikasi Halal Kembali Diundur (Indonesian)
- Bloomberg Technoz – Pemerintah Tunda Penerapan Wajib Halal Oktober 2028 (Indonesian)
- Republika – Wajib Halal Mundur ke 2028, Ini Kata LPPOM (Indonesian)
- detik – Wajib Halal Diundur hingga 2028, LPPOM MUI Minta Sertifikasi Tak Ditunda (Indonesian)
- VOV – Indonesia ready to cooperate with Vietnam in halal sector
- Nation Thailand – DITP urges Thai exporters to prepare for Indonesia’s halal rules
Photos: Unsplash (Unsplash licence). Graphics: HalalHub.vn.
HalalHub.vn · Published 19 October 2026 · Legal information checked as of 19 October 2026; regulations may change, so please check official sources before making decisions.
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