BPOM, short for Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan, is Indonesia’s National Agency for Drug and Food Control, responsible for regulating the distribution of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and other daily consumer goods in the country. Functionally equivalent to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, BPOM plays a central role in ensuring product safety for items that are essential to daily life.

In Indonesia, products in designated categories such as food and pharmaceuticals cannot be distributed or sold without BPOM certification. The certification is widely recognized by the public, and some retailers even advertise that all items on their shelves are BPOM certified.

This article introduces the BPOM system and its certification process, and also explains how to apply for approval and what to be cautious about.

What is BPOM?

BPOM is an independent national agency established under the authority of the Indonesian President. It plays a central role in the safety management of categories such as:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Traditional medicines
• Cosmetics
• Health supplements
• Processed food products

BPOM operates through specialized sub-divisions, such as pharmaceutical and food assessment centers, to oversee each category. With few exceptions, products falling under these categories must be certified by BPOM in order to be legally distributed in Indonesia.

If a product is sold without BPOM certification, the seller may face heavy penalties, including fines and a permanent ban on selling the product within Indonesia. Therefore, BPOM certification is essential for any company aiming to distribute goods in the country.

According to local surveys, approximately 94% of Indonesians are aware of BPOM, and about 87% report feeling more confident buying products that have been BPOM certified.

How to Apply for BPOM Certification

The application must be submitted by the manufacturer or their authorized representative. Although documentation is required through notary offices or embassies, once all documents are properly prepared, the process itself can proceed relatively smoothly.

Applications can be submitted online by attaching the required documents to the designated form. The application fee must be paid within three business days of submission. If there are any deficiencies in the application, the applicant may resubmit up to three times within 30 days.

However, while the process may be considered smooth for companies familiar with BPOM procedures, it is extremely difficult for first-time applicants with no local support in Indonesia.
PT. TRICRUISE MARKETING INDONESIA has direct communication channels with BPOM and offers competitive advantages in terms of speed and cost. If your company is interested in BPOM application support, please feel free to contact us.

Note that required documents vary by product category. For example, the following documents are required for cosmetics:

• Certificate of Free Sale (CFS)
• Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
• Distribution authorization letter
• Ingredient checklist
• Product samples
• Product labeling
• BPOM registration form
• Packaging and product photos
• Copy of the distributor’s business license

Important Notes When Applying for BPOM Certification

The Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) and the Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) must be official documents authorized by the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in Japan.

As of now, for Japanese cosmetics, only two organizations are authorized to issue a valid CFS:

• The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)
• The Japan Cosmetic Industry Association (JCIA)

Regarding banned and restricted ingredients in cosmetics:

• There are 110 ingredients conditionally permitted for use
• Ingredients used as colorants, preservatives, or UV filters
• 1,370 substances are strictly prohibited

These are categorized into “prohibited ingredients” and “restricted ingredients” and must be carefully verified.

If a product contains a prohibited ingredient, it must be completely removed.
If it contains a restricted ingredient, the concentration must fall within the permitted limits; if it exceeds, it must be reduced accordingly.

Notably, preservatives commonly used in Japan often conflict with ASEAN Cosmetic Directive regulations. Therefore, a product that is allowed in Japan may not be eligible for export without modifications.

We also offer a “formulation review service” to determine whether your product can pass BPOM’s ingredient checks. Please contact us if you are interested.

The time required for approval varies by product category:

• Food and cosmetics: approximately 4 to 6 months
• Over-the-counter drugs and supplements: around 1 year
• Prescription drugs: typically over 1 year

Once certified, BPOM approval is valid for 5 years.

Procedures After Obtaining BPOM Certification

Once BPOM approval has been granted, the following documents are required for customs clearance when exporting the product to Indonesia:

• Customs declaration form
• Copy of the invoice
• Copy of the bill of lading (B/L)
• BPOM registration form for cosmetics
• Import value declaration form
• Certificate of origin

Products that have passed BPOM certification are labeled in English. By checking the product packaging in supermarkets or convenience stores, consumers can clearly see information such as product category and manufacturing origin.

For example, cosmetic product labeling must clearly and legibly display the following information on the packaging or container:

• Product name
• Purpose and benefits
• Directions for use
• List of ingredients
• Name and country of the manufacturer
• Name and address of the distribution license applicant
• Batch number
• Size/volume
• Expiration date (year/month/day)
• Distribution license number
• Warnings, precautions, and other notes

Among the above, “purpose and benefits,” “directions for use,” and “warnings and other explanations” must be provided in Bahasa Indonesia.

The BPOM website provides detailed information about registered products by category, including manufacturer name, product composition, and ingredient concentrations. By entering the assigned product number, you can search and verify registration details.

In the registration record:

• “Pendaftar” refers to the registered company or importer
• “Diproduksi oleh” refers to the manufacturer

Currently, the BPOM database includes:

• 148,347 food products
• 294,556 cosmetics
• 21,445 prescription drugs
• 15,346 traditional medicines
• 1,113 over-the-counter drugs
• 4,501 health supplements

If you have any questions or concerns after reading this article, please ask them below.
We will respond within a couple of days.

Examples of Japanese Products Certified by BPOM and Sold in Indonesia

Here are examples of Japanese products that have obtained BPOM certification and are currently sold in the Indonesian market:

Product name: Pocky CHOCOLATE FLAVOUR
Country of manufacture: Indonesia

Product name: Yakult
Country of manufacture: Indonesia

For Companies Seeking BPOM Certification in Indonesia

Distributing products domestically in Indonesia after obtaining BPOM certification is far more complex and labor-intensive than many companies initially expect. Moreover, given the uncertainty of market success, especially for new entrants, there are inherent risks involved.

To help mitigate such challenges, PT. TRICRUISE MARKETING INDONESIA has established a system for food product development within Indonesia. This enables clients to test-market products locally before committing to setting up a company or making large-scale investments.

Food and beverage businesses that have succeeded in Indonesia typically localize taste and texture rather than simply exporting Japanese flavors. Our development framework can support such localization efforts.

We welcome inquiries from companies considering:

• BPOM certification acquisition, and
• test marketing of food and beverage products in the Indonesian market.

Please feel free to contact us for further consultation.