Overview
Certification can provide documented evidence that a product, process, or management system meets specified requirements relevant to an export market or buyer.
The applicable certification depends on the product, destination market, technical regulations, buyer specifications, and other trade conditions.
Identifying these requirements before selecting a certification scheme can help exporters determine which standards and conformity-assessment activities may apply.
Introduction
Exporting a product to a new market can involve more than meeting the requirements that apply in Indonesia. Buyers, regulators, and supply chain partners may require evidence that products meet specific quality, safety, religious, or management-system requirements before they can be considered for a particular market or supply relationship.
Certification can provide documented evidence of conformity with a specified standard or scheme, but the applicable certification varies according to the product and destination. Some markets may also require product testing, inspection, registration, type approval, or other forms of conformity assessment alongside certification.
To help you better understand the certifications that may support international market access, this article will examine halal, ISO, and SNI certification and the factors to consider before selecting a certification scheme.
Which Certifications May Support International Market Access?
The certification that may be relevant depends on what you are exporting, where you intend to sell it, and what the destination market or buyer requires. Halal, ISO management-system, and SNI certification serve different purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable forms of market-access evidence.
Halal Certification
Halal certification can be relevant when products are intended for markets, buyers, or supply chains with halal requirements. Depending on the applicable scheme, assessment may involve ingredients, raw materials, production processes, facilities, labeling, and supporting documentation.
Recognition arrangements can also affect acceptance in another country. A halal certificate issued or recognized under one system may not automatically satisfy another destination market’s requirements. BPJPH has established and continues to expand recognition arrangements with foreign halal institutions, including arrangements with institutions in the Philippines, Mexico, and China. Exporters should still confirm whether the relevant arrangement covers their product, certification body, and intended market.
ISO Certification
ISO management-system certification assesses whether an organization’s management system conforms to the requirements of a specified standard. For example, ISO 9001 addresses quality management and can support supplier qualification by providing independent assessment of the organization’s quality management system. Certification is performed by external certification bodies; ISO itself does not perform certification or issue certificates.
Management-system certification should not be treated as product certification. It does not by itself demonstrate that every product manufactured by an organization meets the technical, safety, labeling, or registration requirements of a destination market.
SNI Certification
SNI, or the Indonesian National Standard, provides a framework for product conformity against applicable Indonesian standards. SNI certification may be mandatory for specified products when an Indonesian technical regulation requires it, while other SNI standards may be voluntary or commercially requested.
For exports, SNI should not automatically be assumed to satisfy a foreign destination’s technical requirements. It may still provide relevant technical evidence or meet a buyer requirement where the destination or customer recognizes the applicable standard.
How to Identify the Certification Requirements for Your Export Products
Start with the requirements that apply to the specific product and destination rather than selecting a certification first. Product requirements can vary between countries and may cover characteristics such as safety, labeling, packaging, performance, manufacturing processes, and registration.
Consider:
Product category and intended use: These can determine which regulations, standards, and conformity-assessment procedures apply.
Destination market: Identify the technical regulations and market-entry requirements of the country where the product will be sold.
Buyer specifications: A customer or supply chain partner may impose requirements that go beyond mandatory regulations.
Labeling and documentation: Check whether the destination requires specific marks, declarations, test reports, certificates, or supporting records.
Certification status: Determine whether the requirement is mandatory, voluntary, or specific to a particular buyer or supply chain.
Depending on the product and destination, you may also need product certification, scheme-specific certification, laboratory testing, factory inspection, type approval, a declaration of conformity, or registration with the destination-market authority.
Certification alone does not guarantee entry into a foreign market. Other product-specific, regulatory, customs, labeling, testing, or registration requirements may also apply.
Certification Services for Exporters With SUCOFINDO
At SUCOFINDO, we provide certification, inspection, testing, and conformity-assessment services for selected product, halal, SNI, and management-system requirements. Established in 1956 as Indonesia’s first inspection company, we bring decades of Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) experience to businesses across industries.
Our relevant services include:
Halal inspection and testing: As a BPJPH-accredited Main Halal Inspection Agency (LPH), SUCOFINDO conducts halal inspection and related testing activities within its applicable scope. The resulting inspection information supports the relevant halal-determination and BPJPH certification process; SUCOFINDO does not independently issue the BPJPH halal certificate. SUCOFINDO has conducted halal inspections for international businesses in countries including Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, India, China, Korea, and the United States.
ISO management-system certification: Our certification portfolio includes selected standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 37001, and applicable supply-chain-security standards, subject to the current certification scope and accreditation requirements. ISO management-system certification assesses the organization’s management system and is not a substitute for product testing or destination-market approval.
SNI product certification: SUCOFINDO provides SNI product certification for applicable products and certification scopes. SNI certification may support access to the Indonesian market or satisfy a buyer requirement, but exporters should confirm whether the destination market recognizes SNI or requires another standard or conformity-assessment route.
Key Takeaway
By understanding the certifications that may support international market access, you can identify the certification schemes and supporting requirements relevant to your product, destination market, and intended buyers.
For information about applicable certification requirements, contact SUCOFINDO through WhatsApp at https://wa.me/628118910222.
