PRODUCT LABELING IN INDONESIA LANGUAGE TAKES TIME

The Government through the Ministry of Trade confirmed that the implementation of mandatory labeling in Indonesia language on domestic products would be effective as per Regulation of the Ministry of Trade No: 22/M-DAG/PER/5/2010 on mandatory labeling in Indonesian language on products.

In that Regulation, it was compulsory to label certain products. With the mandatory labeling in Indonesian language being put in effect, there would be on reason for producers and traders to argue. The Ministry of Trade was known as preparing stern sanctions for importers and domestic producers who ignore the regulation.

Marga Singgih, Chairman of the Domestic Business Development of the Indonesian Footwear Association (Aprisindo) disclosed to Business News Monday (7/6) that he welcomed the policy. Labeling in Indonesian language on all products circulating in the market was believed to halt the flow of imported products especially from China to the local market.

However, he was pessimistic about the effectiveness of such policy afield. With a remaining time of just four months, it would be hard for business players to label their products especially to think that some products were already distributed in the market. “If it is said that the labeling strategy is meant to slowdown the flow of illegal products to Indonesia, such policy is regarded as just right, but it’s a pity that the tikme frame is too short, which is hard for players to comply to the rule.”

Therefore, the Government was expected to ease rules for the business world in regard to implementation of the policy, i.e. businesspeople were given one year time to label their products, especially products which were already in the market. “As fashionable products, foorwears have a fast trade cycle there are thousands of types of them. How can they withdraw thousands of items of footwear in just four months?”

Such a policy would only be effective if accompanied by strict supervision afield. The Custom Dept was regarded as playing an important role in safeguarding the policy. “In the future the Custom Dept is expected to be more professional, let there be no collusion between the Custom Dept and importers in allowing inflow of illegal products.”