The Indonesian Express
The Ministry of Industry is actively promoting the implementation of product standardization in the industrial sector to ensure quality and reliability for consumers regarding the products produced. The goal is to boost the competitiveness of domestic industries both locally and in the global market. "Currently, we have over 5,300 Indonesian National Standards (SNI) in the industrial sector, covering various industries and product types," said Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita during a virtual address on Monday (October 14). Out of these, 130 SNIs have been made mandatory by the Ministry, particularly for products that significantly impact safety, security, health, and the environment. During this event, the Minister introduced 16 Ministerial Regulations on the Mandatory Implementation of Industrial Standardization. These regulations outline the conformity assessment process, including proper audits and testing. "This is a crucial tool to ensure that the products produced by industries meet the established standards," the Minister explained. The regulations also detail the certification process and the approval for using the SNI mark through SIINas, making it efficient, transparent, and encouraging compliance with regulations. To support the implementation of these 16 regulations, the Ministry has appointed Conformity Assessment Bodies (LPK), which include 20 Product Certification Bodies (LSPro) and 28 Testing Laboratories ready to conduct product certification and testing. These LPKs play a vital role in ensuring that products available in the market meet the applicable standards and provide quality assurance to consumers. "The Ministry is also continuously encouraging these institutions to enhance their capacity so they can optimally fulfill their roles in supporting the mandatory SNI implementation in the industrial sector," he added. Andi Rizaldi, the head of the Industrial Standardization and Policy Agency (BSKJI), shared that 16 new Ministerial Regulations have been introduced to regulate various industrial products. These include items like pre-stressed steel wire, calcium carbide, valves, stoves, LPG gas hoses, ceramic tiles, backpack sprayers, safety shoes, sodium tripolyphosphate, aluminum sulfate, zinc oxide, and cement. "So far, we've harmonized 44 drafts of Ministerial Regulations, with 16 already published and 28 still in the publication process. Additionally, 24 drafts are under discussion with stakeholders, all in line with the Minister of Industry Regulation No. 45 of 2022," he explained. Andi also mentioned that to boost the quality and competitiveness of industrial products in both national and global markets, several new regulations have been established in the Ministerial Regulation regarding Mandatory Industrial Standardization, in accordance with the Minister of Industry Regulation No. 45 of 2022. "This is aimed at enhancing compliance with industrial standardization requirements among all stakeholders," he noted. One of the new regulations mandates that foreign producers must have an official representative in Indonesia, who will be fully responsible for the products made by these foreign manufacturers. Moreover, imported products must first be stored in the warehouse of the official representative, located at the same site as the representative. This regulation is designed to facilitate oversight before products are distributed in Indonesia. "Another new regulation involves the product certification process, which will occur in two stages," Andi added.