"As a regulator, we will provide maximum support for the growth of cosmetics (industry) in our country because cosmetics are our basic need; it is no longer secondary," he said at the opening of the Indonesia Cosmetics Ingredients (ICI) Expo & Seminar 2025 here on Wednesday.
The economic value of the cosmetics industry, which is pegged at Rp158 trillion (US$9.5 billion) per year, shows it has significant potential to drive economic growth. Ikrar said he expects the figure to increase in coming years.
The second strategy is devising regulations to develop the cosmetics sector. As a regulator, the government is supporting the industry by providing convenience and protection to producers and consumers of cosmetic products.
"We protect the people to get safe (cosmetic) products while also providing legal protection to industry players. So, the legality is very much needed, including the ingredients, whether it is imported, whether it will be exported, whether it will be produced, and so on," the BPOM head explained.
The agency will provide guidelines to producers on developing innovative uses of raw materials in cosmetics and patenting them, he informed.
This would allow cosmetics producers to trigger a multiple economic impact through product innovation using local materials, he said.
The government's next strategy is downstreaming raw materials for cosmetic products by pursuing collaboration with academics and industry.
"We want our vast natural resources to be developed by industry, in collaboration with educational institutions or universities. The government will participate in downstreaming by certifying the product as our superior product," Ikrar informed.
The government is also supporting events such as the Indonesia Cosmetics Ingredients (ICI) Expo to empower business actors -- from farmers to industry players. Such events play an important role in opening up new jobs.
"So that later on, business actors will grow, whether it is farmers, miners, small industries supporting existing industries to become medium industries, or large industries. So overall, it will open up wider employment opportunities," he explained.
Related news: Indonesia rich in natural cosmetics ingredients: BPOM
Related news: Cosmetics industry development needs to be monitored strictly: BPOM
Translator: Farhan Arda Nugraha, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
