"This means that over the last three years, an average of 243 thousand products have been certified as halal," Head of BPJPH, Aqil Irham, made the remarks in a written statement issued here on Thursday.
The certification has doubled compared to the period before halal certification came under the authority of the BPJPH, he informed. In the past, on average, only 100 thousand products were successfully certified as halal every year.
According to Irham, since 2019, the agency has started a halal certification program and made breakthroughs in digitizing services and opening a self-declare certification scheme at the end of 2021.
The efforts made by BPJPH aim to increase the number of halal-certified products in Indonesia and strengthen the ecosystem chain of halal products in the country.
"We want this trend to continue to increase," he added.
Currently, the agency is running a Free Halal Certification program (Sehati) with a quota of 324,834. To achieve this target, various collaborations with related parties are needed, including with the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, he informed.
"We need the support of all parties, including the Inspector General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to assist us in carrying out every step according to regulations and on target," Irham said.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Faisal, expressed his readiness to support the BPJPH program. According to him, apart from Hajj, halal certification is a service from the ministry that has a direct impact on the community.
"The face of our ministry is the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah (PHU) and BPJPH. Public services must be prioritized by putting up the satisfaction of the people served," Faisal remarked.
He said he hopes that BPJPH as a new agency can boost public trust in the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
"I hope that BPJPH will become the trust of the ministry and we can stay in touch. Do not get tired to ask us for any information. We are more than welcome to become friends," he added.
Related news: Halal certification paramount to boosting MSEs' competitiveness: BPJPH
Related news: SIHALAL registration required for halal certificate issuance: BPJPH
Related news: BPJPH conducts assessment of American halal product assurance agency
Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
