Indonesia 2026 Halal Cosmetics Deadline: Everything You Need to Know

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country, home to over 270 million people and a booming beauty market worth billions of dollars. For cosmetics brands selling in this market, or planning to, there's a regulatory shift that demands immediate attention: the mandatory halal certification deadline for cosmetics products.

Originally mandated under the Halal Product Assurance Law (JPH Law No. 33/2014), this regulation requires that all cosmetics and personal care products circulating in Indonesia carry halal certification. After years of phased implementation, the final enforcement window is closing.

If you're a brand owner, formulator, distributor, or retailer with any exposure to the Indonesian market, this guide breaks down exactly what you need to know, and what you need to do.

Background: Why Indonesia Is Mandating Halal Certification for Cosmetics

Indonesia has long been a significant market for halal products, but the regulatory framework was historically voluntary for cosmetics. The JPH Law (Jaminan Produk Halal), passed in 2014, changed that by establishing a roadmap toward mandatory halal certification across multiple product categories.

The law covers five broad categories: food and beverages, drugs, cosmetics, chemical products, and biological products. For food and beverages, mandatory halal certification was enforced first. Cosmetics and personal care products were placed on a phased timeline, giving brands several years to prepare.

The Regulatory Body: BPJPH

The Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH), operating under Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs, is the central authority responsible for halal certification in the country. BPJPH works alongside Halal Inspection Bodies (LPH) and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to assess, audit, and certify products.

Before the JPH Law, MUI was the sole authority issuing halal certificates. The new framework centralizes the process under BPJPH while MUI retains its role in issuing the religious decree (fatwa) confirming a product's halal status.

The Timeline: Key Dates and Phases

Understanding the regulatory timeline is critical for planning your compliance strategy.

2014, JPH Law Enacted

Law No. 33/2014 on Halal Product Assurance was signed into law, setting the foundation for mandatory halal certification across multiple product categories. A transition period of five years was established.

2019, BPJPH Officially Operational

BPJPH began operations and started accepting halal certification applications. The implementing regulations, Government Regulation No. 31/2019, provided detailed procedures for certification.

2021, Implementing Regulations Updated

Government Regulation No. 39/2021 amended and expanded the earlier regulation, introducing clearer timelines for phased enforcement. Cosmetics were given an extended transition period due to the complexity of global supply chains and ingredient sourcing.

2024–2026, Cosmetics Enforcement Window

The Indonesian government set the mandatory compliance deadline for cosmetics products. While exact enforcement dates have been subject to updates and government announcements, the regulatory expectation is clear: all cosmetics products sold in Indonesia must carry halal certification by the end of the transition period in 2026.

What Happens After the Deadline?

Products that do not carry halal certification after the enforcement date face several potential consequences: removal from retail shelves, import restrictions, fines, and reputational damage. For brands with significant Indonesian revenue, non-compliance is not a viable option.

Who Is Affected?

The short answer: nearly every cosmetics brand selling in Indonesia. But the specifics matter.

Domestic Indonesian Brands

Local brands have had the longest awareness of this regulation and, in many cases, have already begun or completed the certification process. However, smaller domestic manufacturers, especially those operating in the indie or artisan space, may still face challenges in meeting documentation and audit requirements.

International Brands Exporting to Indonesia

This is where the impact is most significant. Global beauty companies that export to Indonesia will need to ensure their products meet halal certification requirements. This includes brands from South Korea, Japan, the United States, Europe, and other major cosmetics-exporting regions.

The challenge for international brands is multifaceted: ingredient sourcing must be verified, manufacturing processes must meet halal standards, and supply chain documentation must be comprehensive and auditable.

Contract Manufacturers and OEM/ODM Suppliers

If you manufacture cosmetics on behalf of other brands and those products enter the Indonesian market, you are part of the compliance equation. Contract manufacturers may need to obtain their own facility-level halal certification or work with brands to ensure product-level certification.

Distributors and Importers

Entities responsible for importing and distributing cosmetics in Indonesia will need to verify that the products they handle carry valid halal certification. This adds a due diligence requirement to distribution agreements.

What Does Halal Certification for Cosmetics Actually Require?

Halal certification for cosmetics goes beyond simply checking for pork-derived ingredients. It's a comprehensive assessment of ingredients, manufacturing processes, storage, and supply chain integrity.

Ingredient Compliance

Every raw material and ingredient used in the product must be verified as halal. This includes active ingredients, excipients, preservatives, colorants, fragrances, and any processing aids. Common ingredients that raise halal concerns include:

Animal-derived ingredients: Collagen, keratin, lanolin, carmine, and stearic acid sourced from non-halal animals or animals not slaughtered according to Islamic law.
Alcohol: Certain types of alcohol may be considered haram depending on their source and concentration. The specific rulings can vary, and BPJPH/MUI guidelines provide detailed classifications.
Glycerin: One of the most common flagged ingredients, as glycerin can be derived from animal fats (including pork), plant sources, or synthetic processes. The source must be verified and documented.
Emulsifiers and surfactants: Ingredients like polysorbates, mono- and diglycerides, and lecithin may be animal-derived.

Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing facility must demonstrate that halal products are not contaminated by haram (forbidden) substances during production. This includes dedicated or thoroughly cleaned production lines, halal-compliant cleaning agents, and proper segregation protocols.

If a facility also manufactures non-halal products, robust cross-contamination prevention measures must be in place and documented.

Supply Chain Traceability

Halal certification requires full traceability from raw material sourcing through to the finished product. This means suppliers must provide halal certificates or declarations for their materials, and the entire chain of custody must be documented.

Storage and Transportation

Products must be stored and transported in a manner that prevents contamination with haram substances. This is particularly relevant for shared warehousing and logistics operations.

The Certification Process: Step by Step

Here's a practical overview of how the halal certification process works under BPJPH.

Step 1: Prepare Internal Documentation

Before applying, brands should conduct an internal audit of their products, ingredients, suppliers, and manufacturing processes. Key documents to prepare include complete ingredient lists with halal status verification, supplier halal certificates or declarations, manufacturing process flow diagrams, standard operating procedures for halal compliance, and facility layout showing production line segregation.

Step 2: Register with BPJPH

Applications are submitted through BPJPH's online system (SIHALAL). You'll need to create an account, submit company information, and register the products you're seeking certification for.

Step 3: Select a Halal Inspection Body (LPH)

BPJPH will assign or you may select an accredited LPH to conduct the audit. The LPH will review your documentation and conduct on-site inspections of your manufacturing facilities.

Step 4: Undergo Audit and Inspection

The LPH auditor will verify ingredient compliance, inspect manufacturing processes, review supply chain documentation, and assess your halal assurance system. Any non-conformities will need to be addressed before proceeding.

Step 5: MUI Fatwa Review

Once the LPH completes its assessment, the results are forwarded to MUI for the issuance of a halal fatwa. MUI's halal commission reviews the findings and makes the final determination on halal status.

Step 6: BPJPH Issues the Certificate

If the fatwa confirms halal status, BPJPH issues the official halal certificate. The certificate is typically valid for four years, after which renewal is required.

Step 7: Ongoing Compliance

Halal certification is not a one-time event. Brands must maintain their halal assurance system, report any changes to ingredients or processes, and undergo periodic audits.

Challenges for International Brands

International brands face several unique hurdles in meeting Indonesia's halal cosmetics requirements.

Complex Global Supply Chains

Large cosmetics companies often source ingredients from dozens of suppliers across multiple countries. Obtaining halal documentation for every ingredient in every product can be a massive logistical undertaking.

Ingredient Reformulation

Some products may contain ingredients that are clearly haram or whose halal status cannot be verified. In these cases, reformulation may be necessary, a costly and time-consuming process that can also affect product performance and regulatory approvals in other markets.

Lack of Halal Awareness in Manufacturing

Many contract manufacturers outside Muslim-majority countries are unfamiliar with halal requirements. Educating manufacturing partners, implementing new SOPs, and potentially modifying production processes all require investment and coordination.

Cost and Resource Allocation

The certification process involves application fees, audit costs, potential reformulation expenses, and ongoing compliance management. For brands with large product portfolios, the total investment can be substantial.

Regulatory Uncertainty

While the broad direction of the regulation is clear, specific implementation details, enforcement timelines, and interpretive guidelines have evolved over time. Brands must stay current with the latest BPJPH announcements and government regulations.

Strategies for Compliance: How to Prepare Your Brand

Given the complexity of the requirement, a structured approach to compliance is essential.

Conduct a Product Portfolio Audit

Start by categorizing your products based on their likely halal compliance status. Identify products that are clearly compliant, products that need minor adjustments, products that require significant reformulation, and products where compliance may not be feasible. This triage approach allows you to prioritize resources and make strategic decisions about which products to certify first.

Engage Halal Consultants Early

Halal certification consultants who specialize in cosmetics can provide invaluable guidance. They can help you navigate BPJPH requirements, identify problematic ingredients, coordinate with LPHs, and manage the application process. Engaging consultants early in the process can prevent costly mistakes and delays.

Work with Your Supply Chain

Communicate halal requirements to your ingredient suppliers and contract manufacturers. Request halal certificates or detailed origin documentation for all raw materials. Consider consolidating your supply chain to work with suppliers who already hold halal certification.

Invest in a Halal Assurance System

A robust Halal Assurance System (SJH, Sistem Jaminan Halal) is a core requirement for certification. This system should include a designated halal management team, written policies and procedures, training programs for relevant staff, internal audit mechanisms, and corrective action procedures.

Plan for Timeline Realities

The certification process can take several months from initial application to certificate issuance. Factor in additional time for ingredient verification and potential reformulation, supplier engagement and documentation collection, audit scheduling and any required corrective actions, and MUI review and BPJPH processing.

Starting the process 12 to 18 months before the deadline is advisable for brands with complex supply chains or large product portfolios.

The Business Case: Why Halal Certification Is an Opportunity

While the regulatory mandate creates compliance pressure, halal certification also represents a significant market opportunity.

Access to a Massive Consumer Market

Indonesia's beauty and personal care market is one of the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia. Halal certification is increasingly a consumer expectation, not just a regulatory requirement. Indonesian consumers, particularly younger demographics, actively seek out halal-certified beauty products.

Competitive Differentiation

In a crowded market, halal certification can differentiate your brand. It signals commitment to quality, transparency, and respect for consumer values. For international brands, it demonstrates market-specific investment.

Gateway to Other Halal Markets

Halal certification for the Indonesian market can facilitate entry into other halal-conscious markets, including Malaysia, the Middle East, Turkey, and Muslim communities worldwide. The global halal cosmetics market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.

Alignment with Clean Beauty Trends

Halal certification requirements, ingredient transparency, avoidance of certain animal-derived ingredients, manufacturing cleanliness, align well with broader clean beauty and ethical beauty trends. Brands can leverage halal certification as part of a wider clean beauty positioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 deadline final, or could it be extended again?

As of the latest available government communications, the deadline is firm. While there have been adjustments in the past, brands should plan for compliance by the stated deadline rather than betting on extensions.

Do all cosmetics need halal certification, or just certain categories?

The regulation covers all cosmetics and personal care products circulating in Indonesia. This includes skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrances, oral care, and other personal care categories.

What if a product contains alcohol?

The halal status of alcohol in cosmetics depends on its source, type, and function. Ethanol derived from the khamr (intoxicant) production process is generally considered haram. Synthetic or naturally derived alcohols used as solvents or preservatives may be permissible under certain conditions. Consult BPJPH guidelines and MUI fatwas for specific rulings.

Can I use existing halal certificates from other countries?

BPJPH may recognize halal certificates from approved foreign halal certification bodies through mutual recognition agreements. However, the specifics of recognition vary. It's essential to verify whether your existing certification is recognized by BPJPH or if additional certification steps are needed.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Non-compliant products may be barred from sale, removed from retail channels, and subject to import restrictions. Financial penalties and legal consequences may also apply under Indonesian law.

How much does certification cost?

Costs vary significantly based on the number of products, complexity of the supply chain, location of manufacturing, and whether you engage consultants. Read our detailed guide on halal certification costs for cosmetics for specific figures and breakdowns.

Conclusion

Indonesia's mandatory halal certification deadline for cosmetics is not just a regulatory checkbox, it's a defining moment for brands operating in one of the world's most dynamic beauty markets. The requirement reflects the values and expectations of Indonesian consumers, and brands that embrace it strategically will be well-positioned for long-term success.

The time to act is now. Audit your portfolio, engage your supply chain, invest in halal assurance systems, and begin the certification process. The brands that prepare early will not only achieve compliance but will unlock the full potential of the Indonesian, and global, halal beauty market.

Sources

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Brands should consult with qualified halal certification consultants and legal advisors for guidance specific to their situation.