BPJPH Central Java Commends UNU Jogja for Helping 275 Micro and Small Enterprises Obtain Halal Certificates in 2026

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – The Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) of Central Java has commended Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) for assisting 275 micro and small enterprises (MSEs) throughout 2026. The achievement is considered beneficial to business owners, helping them build confidence in developing their products while providing consumers with greater assurance.

Head of UNU Jogja’s Halal Center and Accounting Study Program lecturer, Dr. Fahmaninda Listiyani, said that since the Halal Center was established in 2025, the university had begun preparing various initiatives to help MSEs understand and comply with halal certification requirements. These efforts were part of UNU Jogja’s response to the October 2026 Mandatory Halal Policy, which previously set a halal certification requirement for food and beverage products produced by MSEs.

In 2026, the assistance provided by the university began to show tangible results, as reflected in the issuance of halal certificates to hundreds of MSEs in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).

“This achievement reflects our commitment to supporting MSEs in DIY. We hope to increase this number next year and extend the benefits to more business owners, not only in DIY but also in surrounding areas,” she said on Friday (30 October).

The benefits of halal certification assistance have been directly experienced by local business owners. Abd Rahman, owner of Sate Ayam Cak Lades, said he had greatly benefited from the assistance provided by UNU Jogja’s team. According to him, the guidance made the certification process easier, allowing his business to complete the process without significant obstacles.

“The assistance from UNU Jogja’s team has been very helpful, as we are not very familiar with these procedures,” he said.

A similar experience was shared by Kunti Nur Hidayati, owner of Kroket Kentang by Yuki Snack. She said obtaining halal certification had made her feel more assured and confident in developing her products. For her, the certificate not only provides a sense of security but also adds value to her business.

“After receiving the halal certificate, I feel more confident promoting my products to consumers,” she said.

Meanwhile, Rivaldi, owner of Pentol Telur “MDR,” found the halal certification application process relatively straightforward thanks to the guidance provided by UNU Jogja’s facilitators. Their assistance helped him understand and navigate each stage of the application.

“Thank you. The guidance from UNU Jogja’s team has been very helpful,” he said.

During the meeting, Amalia Dewi Lestari, S.K.H., First Expert Halal Product Assurance Supervisor, also commended UNU Jogja’s Halal Product Process Assistance Institution (LP3H) for its efforts in providing guidance and evaluating the performance of Halal Product Process Facilitators (P3H).

She nevertheless recommended that facilitator performance evaluations be conducted regularly, at least once every six months.

Amalia also encouraged UNU Jogja to organize regular training and technical guidance sessions for P3H facilitators, particularly on the latest regulatory developments and procedures for applying for halal certification through the self-declare mechanism.

Chair of UNU Jogja’s LP3H and lecturer in the Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies Study Program, Ahmad Hujaj Nurrohim, welcomed the feedback and recommendations from the BPJPH team. He acknowledged that, as a relatively newly established institution, UNU Jogja’s LP3H still had several areas that needed to be strengthened and improved.

“We have carefully noted all the feedback and recommendations as material for evaluation and for improving the quality of our services. Through these efforts, we hope more MSEs will benefit from the university’s role in providing halal certification assistance,” he said. []

Reporter: Latifah