Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia will enforce mandatory halal certification starting in October 2026 to strengthen consumer protection and bolster the country’s competitiveness in the global halal supply chain, the halal authority said.Halal certification is a state instrument to ensure legal certainty and consumer protection, Ahmad Haikal Hasan, head of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), said in a statement released in Jakarta on Thursday.He said halal certification plays a critical role in building consumer trust while improving the competitiveness of Indonesian products in both domestic and international markets.Halal certification also delivers economic value by expanding market access, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which dominate Indonesia’s consumer goods sector, Haikal added.”Halal certification should be positioned as a competitive advantage, a pillar of consumer protection, and a driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” he said.Haikal said halal standards are no longer viewed solely as a religious obligation or regulatory requirement, but have evolved into a global quality benchmark emphasizing consumer satisfaction.”Halal represents cleanliness, health, safety and quality. Today, halal is a market need, not merely a regulation,” he said.The mandatory halal policy is mandated under the 2014 Halal Product Assurance Law and reinforced by a 2024 government regulation governing halal certification implementation.Detailed criteria and guidance for businesses and products subject to the 2026 requirement are available through the halal agency's official website, he said.To strengthen the national halal ecosystem, BPJH is expanding strategic cooperation with industry groups and community organizations.One initiative includes a memorandum of understanding with a national market traders association to promote outreach, education and awareness on halal certification, Haikal said.He noted that traditional markets play a strategic role as key distribution points for daily consumer goods across Indonesia.The partnership aims to support market-based businesses, particularly micro and small enterprises, in meeting halal certification requirements.The initiative also seeks to build an inclusive and sustainable halal ecosystem by improving access, guidance and certification readiness, Haikal said.Market traders play a frontline role in the halal ecosystem, he added, noting the cooperation is expected to provide businesses with better understanding, assistance and access to certification.