UIN Jakarta Strengthens JPH Certification

FDIK, UIN News Online – The government through Law (UU) no. 33 of 2014 has guaranteed the availability of halal food products. In order to be realized properly, support from stakeholders is needed to create a Halal Product Guarantee (JPH) ecosystem, including the role of campuses and academics.

This was conveyed by the Head of the Center for Halal Studies at UIN Jakarta, Sandra Hermanto, in the National Seminar entitled “Produk Halal dan Ketahanan Pangan Nasional: Revitalisasi Peran Masyarakat Menuju Indonesia Maju” organized by the Da'wah Management Study Program, Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Studies (FDIK) and held at FDIK Theater Room, campus I of UIN Jakarta on Thursday (11/03/2022).

In his presentation, Sandra explained that all related elements must be able to work together to support the strengthening of JPH for the community, both domestically and globally, because the halal issue has become a global issue.

Regarding halal certification, Sandra explained, since October 17, 2019, the government officially stipulates the Halal Product Guarantee Law No. 33 of 2014 which requires all business actors to own halal certification.

He also explained that in the past, halal certification was only played by one institution, namely the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). However, now MUI is not the sole actor. This is because the registration process for applying for halal certification is under the agency of the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH).

“Currently, the halal certification process first goes to the BPJPH. After that, the results will be examined by a halal inspection agency which is then issued a fatwa by the MUI fatwa commission,” said Sandra.

Unfortunately, based on Sandra's statement, the public still does not know about the changes in regulations and the halal certification process, so the role of academics is important to disseminate the information to the general public.

In addition, universities can also play a role in establishing halal inspection institutions and holding halal certification training.

He explained, Indonesia has 64 million MSEs. This means that the economic potential is very large, but in reality, only 20 percent of them have obtained a halal certificate.

“This is a challenge as well as an opportunity for students to encourage UMK actors to have halal certification,” he said. (ns/fa/df)