Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia requires all U.S. products entering its market to obtain halal certification, reaffirming that reciprocal cooperation agreements do not override national regulations, the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) has said.BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said the policy follows Law No. 33 of 2014 and its implementing rules, which mandate halal certification for all products classified as halal-obligatory and traded in Indonesia, including imports.”All products that fall under mandatory halal categories and enter, circulate, and are traded in Indonesia, including imports from the United States, must comply with halal certification requirements,” Haikal said in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday.He stressed that reciprocal cooperation with the United States does not eliminate the obligation for halal certification and labeling for imported products sold in Indonesia.”Reciprocal cooperation does not mean removing halal obligations. Products required to be halal must remain certified and labeled in line with prevailing laws,” he said.Haikal said the policy ensures consumer protection while boosting product competitiveness, adding that non-halal products are exempt from certification but must clearly display non-halal labeling.He said mutual recognition arrangements strengthen global halal governance without undermining Indonesia’s regulatory sovereignty.The Mutual Recognition Agreement allows BPJPH to recognize certificates issued by foreign halal bodies that have passed strict assessments, simplifying procedures without abolishing certification requirements.Currently, five U.S.-based halal institutions are recognized by BPJPH: the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, American Halal Foundation, Islamic Services of America, Halal Transactions Inc., and the Islamic Society of Washington Area’s Halal Certification Department.Haikal said BPJPH will ensure consistent, transparent, and accountable enforcement of Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification policy, including nationwide implementation scheduled for October 2026, covering imported products.