With the enforcement of the Halal Product Assurance Law (UU No. 33/2014) and the mandatory implementation of the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH), compliance is no longer limited to manufacturers. Distributors—including those handling industrial raw materials, chemicals, cosmetics, food and beverage products, and supporting materials—are now integral points within the supply chain responsible for maintaining halal integrity from upstream to downstream.
This document outlines the essential requirements distributors must meet, along with the official steps required to obtain halal certification in accordance with BPJPH standards.
Why Do Distributors Need Halal Certification?
Halal certification is essential for distributors because:
- Distributors are a critical point in the supply chain
They manage storage, handling, and transportation. Any misstep can lead to:
- physical contamination,
- contamination with non-halal ingredients,
- contamination with impurities (najis), which can compromise the halal status of the final product.
- SJPH enforcement requires traceability
Companies must ensure each stage of distribution is traceable, well-documented, and free from the risk of non-halal contamination.
- Industries require halal assurance from all suppliers
FMCG, F&B, and cosmetics manufacturers now prioritise working with halal-certified distributors to ensure their own audits run smoothly.
- It strengthens credibility and competitiveness
Halal certification gives distributors a competitive edge, especially as the national certification deadline approaches in 2026.
Core Requirements for Distributors Applying for Halal Certification
Before entering the certification phase, distributors must meet several key requirements:
- Storage areas must meet halal cleanliness standards
Warehouses, racks, pallets, and handling zones must be free from:
- impurities,
- potential cross-contamination,
- uncontrolled use of non-halal items.
- SOPs must support SJPH
Minimum documents include:
- facility and equipment sanitation SOPs,
- SOPs for handling najis contamination,
- SOPs for receiving goods,
- SOPs for storage and transportation,
- SOPs for labeling and traceability.
To meet halal standards, cleaning SOPs must include procedures for removing najis—not just general sanitation.
- Availability of halal-compliant cleaning agents
Since cleaning chemicals are used on equipment and storage areas, their halal status is mandatory.
- Distribution fleets must meet halal requirements
Fleets must be:
- free from transporting non-halal goods,
- cleaned regularly,
- supported with SOPs for cleaning najis in case of incidents,
- proven free from contamination.
- Appointment of a certified Halal Supervisor
Distributors must have a Halal Supervisor to:
- ensure SJPH implementation,
- oversee SOP compliance,
- act as the official contact during audits,
- manage periodic reporting.
- Complete documentation for SIHALAL
Documentation includes company legality, operational data, product lists, supplier lists, and facility information.
Halal Certification Process for Distributors
These are the official steps distributors must follow until the halal certificate is issued:
- Submission to BPJPH
The company submits an application for halal certification with documents including:
- business legality,
- distribution profile,
- scope of activities,
- facility and operational data.
This determines the type of audit required.
- Data Input into the SIHALAL System (ptsp.halal.go.id)
Distributors must input all data required for assessment, including:
- Product or supporting item data
If distributors don’t handle non-halal items, the registered items typically include: cleaning agents, sanitation tools, warehouse hygiene media, material-handling tools, or components that come into direct contact with stored goods.
- Warehouse facility data, which consists of:
- warehouse layout,
- storage flow,
- inbound/outbound procedures,
- product segregation records,
- sanitation facilities.
- Distribution fleet data
Fleets must be included as part of the audited process.
- Halal Supervisor data
Name, competency certificate, and supervisory responsibilities.
- Invoice Payment
Once administrative verification is complete, the company receives an invoice. Payment is required before moving forward with the audit.
- On-Site Audit
This is the most critical—and usually the most demanding—stage. Halal auditors will examine:
- Physical facilities
- cleanliness,
- storage conditions,
- segregation of potentially risky products,
- inbound/outbound processes.
- SOPs and implementation
Auditors verify whether SOPs are:
- properly documented,
- understood by employees,
- consistently followed.
- Cleaning agents and tools
Halal status of cleaning agents used is verified through documentation and physical inspection.
- Handling of najis contamination
Auditors assess clarity and readiness of incident-response procedures.
- Distribution fleets
Auditors ensure vehicles meet halal standards, are clean, and are properly controlled.
The audit stage is often the toughest, as it requires full alignment between documentation and real-world practices.
- Sidang Fatwa MUI
Audit results are submitted to the MUI Fatwa Commission for evaluation from a shariah perspective. The session determines whether the company:
- meets all requirements,
- needs corrective actions,
- or is rejected.
- Issuance of Halal Decree & BPJPH Certificate
If approved, MUI issues a Halal Decree, followed by BPJPH’s Halal Certificate. This certifies that all distribution processes comply with SJPH standards.
All the steps and requirements above are part of the national halal certification process that distributors must follow.
Bahtera has completed all these stages—including SIHALAL registration, halal SOP compliance, facility and fleet audits, the MUI evaluation process, and final certification by BPJPH.
That being said, Bahtera Adi Jaya is now officially halal-certified. This significant milestone serves to demonstrate our commitment to supporting a compliant and reliable halal supply chain. Find your solutions with Bahtera here.