BPJPH–USDA and Halal Trade

Assalamu’alaikum friends of Salam.life. We from the Salam.life team want to share some news that has been on our minds lately: BPJPH is in dialogue with the USDA regarding halal trade and efforts to harmonize procedures. At first glance, it sounds like a matter of 'documents and meetings', but when looked at more closely, the impact can be felt in very everyday things: what products we can easily find on shelves, how stable their prices are, and how confident we can be in the halal labels we read. If inter-country procedures become more harmonized, import-export flows usually become smoother. Products are less likely to be held up just because of different document formats or differing interpretations of rules. For consumers, this can mean one simple thing: less confusion in the market, more certainty. For businesses, it means they can focus on quality and service, not constantly dealing with verification that is essentially the same. However, we also see another side that needs to be discussed honestly. When the system becomes more streamlined, it often also becomes more complex. Large companies usually have QA, audit, and legal teams. Meanwhile, SMEs operate with limited resources, changing suppliers, and flexible production. If the demands become stricter without clear guidelines and adequate assistance, it's possible that small businesses will be the first to feel the burden. For us, the core of halal remains the same: it's not just a 'label'. Halal is a sense of safety. Halal is traceability of ingredients. Halal is a clean process. And halal is honesty in information. If this cooperation makes the system more transparent and trustworthy, that's good news. But if it creates new confusion or uneven burdens, that also needs to be highlighted. We want to hear your opinions: From the consumer's side, what are the most tangible benefits if the procedures become more harmonized? From the SME's side, which parts are most likely to become a burden? In your opinion, what needs to be explained more clearly so the market doesn't misunderstand? Write in the comments, let's have a casual conversation while maintaining etiquette and focusing on beneficial things.