Securing Indonesian Halal Certification for Traditional Medicine: A Case Study

For overseas manufacturers, obtaining Indonesian halal certification before distributing products in the country can involve additional regulatory and documentation requirements. 

The process may require foreign corporate records, coordination with an Indonesian importer, ingredient and supplier information, an overseas factory audit, and communication with several parties in Indonesia. 

In this case, InCorp Indonesia (an Ascentium Company) supported an overseas traditional medicine manufacturer in obtaining a Halal Certificate from the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency, or Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH). 

Key Takeaways

• Three traditional medicine products successfully obtained Indonesian halal certification, supporting their regulatory readiness for the Indonesian market. 
• One overseas manufacturing facility completed a full-day onsite halal audit as part of the BPJPH certification process. 
• The application moved from submission to certificate issuance in approximately 39 calendar days. 
• InCorp managed document preparation, authority requests, audit readiness, and coordination throughout the certification journey. 

Indonesian Halal Certification Overview 

Details	Summary
Client	Overseas manufacturer
Industry	Pharmaceutical and healthcare
Product sector	Traditional medicine
Authority	BPJPH
Certified scope	Three products from one overseas facility
Audit	Full-day onsite halal audit
Processing time	Approximately 39 calendar days
InCorp’s role	End-to-end certification and compliance support
Outcome	Indonesian Halal Certificate successfully issued

Key Challenges in the Halal Certification Process 

The overseas manufacturer faced several challenges while certifying three traditional medicine products in Indonesia. 

Aligning with BPJPH Requirements 

The company had to align its foreign corporate and manufacturing information with BPJPH requirements while coordinating with its Indonesian representative, halal specialists, auditors, and authorities. 

Preparing Foreign Corporate Documents 

Additional documents were required to verify the manufacturer’s legal status, ownership, management, and business details. Foreign records also had to match the format and information expected by Indonesian authorities. 

Completing Importer and Supplier Information 

The authority requested details about the Indonesian importer’s responsible person. Supplier information also had to be updated to keep the product and supply-chain records accurate and consistent.

Preparing for the Overseas Audit 

The manufacturer had to prepare its personnel, production areas, documents, and operational explanations for a full-day onsite audit. Travel and inspection arrangements also required cross-border coordination. 

Responding to Authority Requests 

Additional documents and clarifications were required after submission. Each response had to remain consistent with the application before the process could continue to the audit, Halal Fatwa, and certificate issuance stages.

READ MORE:

• Case Study: HS Code Indonesia & SKU Review for a Leading Home Improvement Retailer
• Product License Holder in Indonesia: A Case Study in Seamless F&B Expansion 
• Case Study: Stocktaking Indonesia for a Health & Wellness Retail Company 

How InCorp Managed the Certification Process 

InCorp Indonesia (an Ascentium Company) provided end-to-end support throughout the certification journey, helping the overseas manufacturer prepare its documents, respond to authority requests, complete the onsite audit, and progress through final BPJPH approval. 

Stage	InCorp’s Support
Initial preparation	Assessed the manufacturer, product scope, corporate documents, and Indonesian market arrangements
Application preparation	Reviewed product, manufacturer, importer, and supplier information before finalizing the submission
BPJPH submission	Submitted the application and monitored its progress during the initial verification stage
Authority verification	Coordinated additional corporate documents, importer details, and updated supplier information
Halal audit	Prepared the client’s team, coordinated the full-day overseas audit, and guided the factory inspection process
Halal Fatwa	Monitored the review of the audit results and maintained communication with the relevant parties
Certificate issuance	Followed the application through final BPJPH approval and delivered the certificate, halal logo, QR code, and SJPH guidelines

The Result: Halal Certification Secured with Ongoing Compliance Support 

The overseas manufacturer successfully obtained BPJPH halal certification for three traditional medicine products within approximately 39 calendar days. 

The engagement resulted in: 

• Three traditional medicine products are successfully certified. 
• One overseas manufacturing facility completing the required full-day onsite audit. 
• Additional corporate, importer, and supplier requirements resolved during verification. 
• The client receives its Halal Certificate and guidance to maintain ongoing compliance. 

The 39-day timeline was specific to this case and may vary depending on document readiness, product complexity, audit scheduling, and authority review. 

After certification, the manufacturer must continue managing materials, suppliers, production controls, records, product changes, and halal-label use within the approved scope. 

Why Indonesian Halal Certification Matters for Traditional Medicine 

Halal certification is important because traditional medicine products must meet Indonesia’s halal requirements under Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024 before they can be marketed in the country. For natural medicines, quasi-drugs, and health supplements, the certification phase-in runs until October 17, 2026. Here’s why: 

• It supports regulatory compliance and reduces market-entry delays. 
• It confirms that products, materials, and processes meet applicable halal standards. 
• Foreign certificates are only accepted when they qualify for BPJPH registration. 
• Products that are not eligible may need to complete the full BPJPH process. 
• Confirming the correct route early helps avoid packaging changes, document gaps, and import disruptions.

Get End-to-End Halal Certification Support with InCorp 

For an overseas manufacturer, Indonesian halal certification may involve more than completing an online application. It requires coordination between product information, foreign corporate records, an Indonesian importer, supplier documents, factory operations, auditors, and BPJPH. 

InCorp Indonesia (an Ascentium Company) helps foreign manufacturers manage the halal certification process from initial readiness through final approval. Our support includes: 

• Certification-route and readiness assessment 
• Product, ingredient, and document review 
• BPJPH application preparation and submission 
• Importer and overseas manufacturer coordination 
• Audit preparation and authority follow-up 
• Post-certification compliance support 

Talk to our team to assess your product scope, document readiness, and certification route before submitting your application. Fill out the form below. 

Frequently Asked Questions