Yogyakarta-based batik company, CV. Smart Batik Indonesia (Sm-art Batik), has made significant strides as a pioneer in the certified halal batik industry in Indonesia. Affiliated with the Independent Oil Palm Smallholders (UKMK Sawit) under the Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS), Sm-art Batik, established in 2018 by UNY alumni Miftahudin Nur Ihsan and Dinar Indah Lufita Sari, has obtained a halal certification following a meticulous validation process. The certification journey involved registration, data submission, and an audit conducted by the Halal Examination Institute (LPH). The Halal Certificate serves as formal recognition of the product's adherence to halal standards, issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs based on written halal fatwas from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). Ihsan, the CEO and Chemistry Education program alumnus, emphasized the significance of the halal certificate as evidence of their commitment to fostering sustainable batik industries. The initiative aligns with the broader goal of continuous development and innovation in the batik sector, especially in Yogyakarta, recognized as the World Batik City.
Sm-art Batik underwent halal certification through an audit by the Balai Besar Standardisasi dan Pelayanan Jasa Industri Kerajinan dan Batik (BBSPJIKB) or the Center for Standardization and Service of Craft and Batik Industries. While the obligation for halal certification currently focuses on food and beverage products, with consumer goods mandated by 2026, Sm-art Batik prioritized obtaining halal certification for its batik products. The achievement was praised by Helmi Muhansyah, Head of the UKMK division at BPDPKS, who commended Sm-art Batik for its progress in developing the palm oil-based batik industry. The halal certification not only solidifies Sm-art Batik's commitment to sustainable practices but also contributes to the advancement of downstream palm oil industries. Sm-art Batik's Chief Operating Officer, Dinar Indah Lufita Sari, expressed gratitude for the support from BPDPKS and highlighted the remarkable potential of palm oil for research. The company aims to enhance global acceptance of its halal-certified products in 2024, aligning with the growing demand for halal products internationally. In summary, Sm-art Batik's achievement as a pioneer in the halal batik industry, supported by UKMK Sawit BPDPKS, signifies a remarkable advancement in sustainable practices and innovation within the batik sector, contributing positively to the downstream palm oil industry and meeting the rising global demand for halal-certified products.
