Indonesia confirms mandatory halal rules will take effect in October 2026

Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has confirmed that mandatory halal requirements will begin in October 2026, with no change to the schedule.

Muhammad Fuad Nasar, director of halal product assurance at the ministry, said the decision followed a coordination meeting on Aug. 12 involving officials from several ministries and agencies. Participants reported on preparations, with an emphasis on bringing certification services closer to the public and businesses.

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All ministries and agencies in the meeting reported on the steps they had taken, with the aim of bringing halal certification services closer to the public and businesses.

The ministry said it would involve religious officials, counselors and religious education institutions in efforts to strengthen halal literacy. The Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency will handle literacy related to halal services, while the Ministry of Religious Affairs will address the substance and scope of halal requirements.

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I invite all elements of society to develop greater awareness of halal living. Let us make halal living a need, a source of comfort and a matter of pride.

Fuad urged the public to treat halal living as a need, a source of comfort and a matter of pride. He said preparations cover the availability and oversight of materials, certification and product monitoring, business assistance, violations and non-halal labeling.

Two regulations issued by the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency form part of the preparations. Regulation No. 2 of 2026 covers administrative sanctions for violations, while Regulation No. 3 sets out the form and procedure for displaying non-halal information. Fuad said coordination across government agencies would help identify challenges and create an implementation system that is simple, effective and integrated.

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The implementation of mandatory halal requirements in October 2026 is not the task of just one ministry or agency. It requires the support of all stakeholders in building a national halal ecosystem.