The countdown to the second phase of mandatory halal certification is drawing closer. Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) has confirmed that October 17, 2026 is the deadline for all micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) in the food and beverage sector to obtain halal certification. This phase continues the obligation that began on October 17, 2019, and this time reaches smaller-scale operators — from neighborhood food stalls and home catering businesses to local snack producers.
Why This Deadline Matters for MSMEs
This obligation is not merely an administrative formality. Food and beverage products sold without halal certification after the deadline risk facing tiered penalties, up to a halt on sales. On the other hand, halal certification also opens access to a wider market — from modern supermarkets and online marketplaces to partnerships with franchises and hotels that require certified suppliers.
Penalties for Non-Compliance After October 17, 2026
The government is taking a phased approach rather than immediate enforcement. Based on the enforcement scheme already socialized by BPJPH in various regions, the sequence of sanctions is as follows:
A first written warning lasting one month, followed by a second written warning lasting one month, then a third written warning lasting three months — a total warning period of roughly five months. If the business operator is still without halal certification after the third warning period ends, authorities may proceed to halt the sale of the products in question. Imported products circulating in Indonesia are also subject to the same deadline, taking into account mutual recognition agreements between countries.
How to Register for Free Halal Certification (SEHATI 2026 Program)
The good news is that the government has opened a national quota of 1.35 million free halal certificates this year through the SEHATI (Free Halal Certification) program. MSME operators who meet the self-declare halal certification criteria do not need to pay anything from the application process through to certificate issuance. Registration is done through the SIHALAL system at ptsp.halal.go.id, and applicants will be guided by one of more than 111,000 Halal Product Process Assistants (P3H) spread across Indonesia to help verify raw materials and production processes.
The technical basis for this program refers to Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 1 of 2026 on facilitation guidelines, as well as Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 146 of 2025 on self-declare halal certification procedures. Because the free quota is limited and, in previous programs, was often fully absorbed well before the deadline (as happened in several provinces mid-year), business operators are advised to register as soon as possible rather than waiting until closer to October 2026.
The Paid Route: Independent Self-Declare
For MSMEs that don't secure a free quota slot or wish to process independently and more quickly, a paid self-declare route is available at an estimated cost of around Rp230,000, of which about Rp150,000 is allocated as an honorarium for the P3H assistant helping with the verification process. This route suits low-risk businesses whose raw materials are already confirmed halal and whose production processes are simple, in line with the criteria set by BPJPH.
Who Must Comply Now, and Who Can Wait?
The October 17, 2026 obligation specifically targets MSME food and beverage products. Other sectors, such as cosmetics, traditional medicine, as well as slaughtering services and supply chains, are also on the national halal certification roadmap with different deadlines in the years ahead. For business operators in culinary, Muslim fashion, and home-packaged goods, this phase of certification is the most urgent to arrange right away.
Conclusion
The October 17, 2026 deadline is not something that can be postponed any further. With the free SEHATI route and an affordable self-declare option both available, there is almost no reason for a culinary MSME to delay obtaining halal certification. Handling the NIB (business ID) documentation, confirming raw material compliance, and completing the SIHALAL application do require care — and this is where professional guidance can speed up the process while avoiding document rejection.
Business Licensing Division, PT Legalku Multi Digital, Semarang.