Jakarta, Jan. 15 -- 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 me...