Indonesia is the largest cosmetics market in Southeast Asia, but the barriers to entry are rising fast. Two requirements matter most: BPOM notification (market access) and Halal certification (mandatory from October 2026). You need both.
1. BPOM Notification – The First Gate for Foreign Companies
Indonesia uses a notification system, but foreign companies cannot apply directly. You must work through a local Indonesian entity — a subsidiary, a local distributor, or a third-party consultant acting as the registration holder.
The process has two stages: first, register a Notifkos account (takes 2–3 months), then submit product notifications. Official fees depend on origin: products manufactured outside ASEAN pay IDR 1.5 million per SKU; ASEAN-origin products pay IDR 500,000. The full process typically takes 3–4 months.
Formulas must comply with BPOM Regulation No. 25 of 2025. Ingredients must be on the approved list, and pharmacological substances like retinoic acid, hydroquinone, and steroids are strictly prohibited. Labels must use Indonesian language and include function, usage, and warnings.
2. Halal Certification – Mandatory from 17 October 2026
This is the most critical regulatory change. Under PP 42/2024, from 17 October 2026, all cosmetics circulating in Indonesia must hold Halal certification or they cannot be sold. BPJPH confirmed in September 2026 that the date will not be postponed.
Halal certification applies to both the product and the factory. Key risk ingredients include gelatin, collagen, glycerin, certain alcohols, and animal-derived components. Plant-derived ingredients are generally considered Halal, but processing aids still require verification.
If you already hold a foreign Halal certificate from a body with a mutual recognition agreement with BPJPH, you don't need re-certification — but you must register it in the BPJPH system (RSHLN). Registration validity follows the foreign certificate, and renewal requires submission 60 working days in advance.
3. Timing and Practical Advice
The two deadlines overlap. BPOM account registration takes 2–3 months, and Halal certification plus RSHLN registration also takes time. If you haven't started, the window is tight.
Priority order: Confirm Halal compliance of your ingredient supply chain first (this is the most time-consuming step), while simultaneously starting BPOM account registration. Design labels with space for the Halal logo, and prepare Indonesian translations early.
Compliance document checklist: Certificate of Free Sale (CFS, required for non-ASEAN products), GMP certificate (both need notarisation and legalisation), Letter of Authorisation (LoA), full formula, PIF documents, safety assessment report, and stability testing data.
Our Compliance Support
Our GMP-certified factory in Guangzhou can provide the GMP certificate and formula documentation needed for Indonesian export, and support Halal-compliant ingredient screening. Contact us to discuss document preparation and partnership options.
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