Do Food and Beverage SMEs Need SNI Certification?

SNI Socialization with IWAPI (Indonesian Women Entrepreneurs Association)

The importance of understanding SNI (Indonesian National Standard) in the context of food and beverage products is a special focus for IWAPI. This socialization aims to introduce the importance of SNI in ensuring the safety and quality of food and beverage products. The event provides an opportunity for business owners to learn how SNI can enhance their products’ competitiveness and build a trusted brand from the ground up.

What is SNI?

According to BSN (the National Standardization Agency of Indonesia), an SNI is a document containing technical provisions (such as rules, guidelines, or characteristics) for an activity or its results. It is formulated by consensus and established by BSN for all stakeholders to use, with the goal of achieving optimal order within a specific context.

BSN does not develop SNI alone; it involves various relevant parties to ensure an agreement is reached among all stakeholders. Therefore, an SNI is a consolidation of science, technology (IPTEK), and experience.

SNI is not just for products or goods; it also sets standards for services, systems, processes, and even personnel. The SNI for food products falls under the category of SNI for goods. Examples of food product SNIs include standards for cassava chips, fruit chips, tempeh chips, and banana chips.

Benefits of SNI in the Food Industry

Consumers and the government need assurance that the goods, services, processes, systems used, or personnel performing certain activities meet the established requirements. Therefore, SNI compliance provides a guarantee of certainty to consumers, protects the public, and can serve as a promotional tool for business owners. Here is a list of benefits obtained by complying with SNI.

1. Improves the Quality of Goods and Services

There are various quality standards that a product must meet to comply with SNI. These standards will undoubtedly enhance the product’s quality, making it more acceptable to the public. Using high-quality, consistently produced ingredients from a certified supplier is the first step in achieving this.

2. Increases Profits and Reduces Costs (Efficiency)

SNI is not created to complicate business for entrepreneurs; on the contrary, by complying with SNI, business owners can increase profits through more efficient production processes and more competitive products.

3. Enhances the Competitiveness of SMEs

SNI serves as a benchmark in market transactions. Products with an SNI label can compete more easily in the market. This trust mark signals to B2B clients, like hotels and restaurants, and direct consumers that your product is reliable. The opportunity to reach larger markets, such as for export, also becomes more open for SMEs.

4. Expands Market Share (Export)

SNI contains a series of quality standards that, if met by business owners, can become a fundamental asset for meeting the standards of export destination countries.

5. Fulfills Government Regulations

SNI is mandatory for some types of products, while for others, it is voluntary. However, even when voluntary, SNI offers many benefits not only for consumers but also for producers, as previously discussed.

Here is the list of products for which SNI is mandatory, as sourced from the page https://istanaumkm.pom.go.id/regulasi/pangan/standar-nasional-indonesia

1. Natural mineral water (SNI 6242:2015)
2. Mineral water (SNI 3553:2015)
3. Demineralized water (SNI 6241:2015)
4. Dew drinking water (SNI 7812:2013)
5. Iodized salt for consumption (SNI 01-3556-2000)
6. Palm cooking oil (SNI 7709:2019)
7. Instant Coffee (SNI 2983:2014)
8. Canned tuna (SNI 8223:2016)
9. Canned sardines and mackerel (SNI 8222:2016)
10. Wheat Flour as a food ingredient (SNI 3751:2009)
11. Crystal sugar – Part 3: White (SNI 3140.3:2010/Amd1:2011)
12. Crystal sugar – Part 2: Refined (SNI 3140.2-2011)
13. Cocoa powder (SNI 3747:2009)
14. Biscuits (SNI 2973:2011)

6. Establishes a Culture of Quality

SNI will foster a culture of quality within the production environment and, more broadly, at the societal level among consumers. By implementing SNI, quality procedures are automatically established in every part of the production chain, from raw material selection and storage to packaging and beyond

Organic Center Shares Steps to Obtain SNI for SMEs

Organic Center is a local brand that started its business as a distributor in 2018. A year later, Organic Center began its research and development process to create its own products. After securing its distribution permit, Organic Center’s focus is now on improving its production facilities and sales.

Organic Center shared its steps for SNI certification, which include the following:

1. Possess basic permits such as the Company’s Deed of Establishment, NIB (Business Identification Number), Intellectual Property Rights Certificate, PIRT/BPOM Distribution Permit, Halal certification, NPWP (Taxpayer Identification Number), and ISO and HACCP (if available).
2. Consultation and Guidance with BSN.
3. Requesting guidance from a Certification Body.
4. Downloading SNI guidelines and organic SNI:
   • SNI 3551:2018 Instant Noodles
   • SNI CXC 1:1969 General Principles of Food Hygiene (CXC 1-1969 Rev. 2021, IDT)
   • SNI 6729:2016 Organic Farming Systems
5. Following the requirements from the guidelines and the checklist from the Certification Body.
6. Upgrading production facilities according to the requirements.
7. Pre-Audit.
8. Audit.
9. Evaluation of Audit Results.
10. Receiving the certificate and maintaining the implementation of the obtained SNI.

Do’s and Don’ts in SNI Implementation

Organic Center also shared several do’s and don’ts that SMEs should pay attention to during SNI implementation.

Do’s

• Prepare complete documents, such as SOPs.
  The creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is a crucial step in many aspects, including production management. SOPs provide detailed guidance on how to carry out each stage of production correctly. A good SOP should be clear, easy to understand, and cover all aspects from raw material preparation to the packing of finished products. With SOPs, product quality consistency can be maintained, and production errors can be minimized. Every employee must be trained to understand and follow the established SOPs.
• Conduct product testing in a KAN-accredited laboratory.
  According to Law Number 20 of 2014 concerning Standardization and Conformity Assessment (UU SPK), conformity assessment is the activity of evaluating whether Goods, Services, Systems, Processes, or Personnel meet the reference requirements. Conformity Assessment activities are carried out through testing, inspection, and/or certification by a Conformity Assessment Body (LPK). Laboratories, as one type of LPK, are institutions that perform one or more activities of testing, calibration, and/or sampling related to subsequent testing or calibration. The role of the laboratory is vital to ensure the quality of conformity assessment results.
• Align production facilities with the Minister of Industry Regulation Number 75/M-IND/PER/7/2010 of 2010 concerning Guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practices for Processed Food.
• Conduct internal audits and management reviews.

Don’ts

• Ignoring the existing requirements.
  Follow all requirements carefully and completely to carry out SNI certification.
• Falsifying data and information.
  Besides hindering your steps to obtain an SNI certificate, falsifying data and information can also result in severe sanctions that will adversely affect your business.
• Engaging in fraudulent production processes.
  Improve the production process according to the applicable guidelines. If there are obstacles, such as resource constraints, you can consult with an expert. Never engage in fraudulent production processes.

Those are the steps for SMEs to obtain an SNI certificate. More information regarding SME development can be found on the official BSN website.

Magfood: Your Partner for Certified, High-Quality Seasonings

One of the most effective strategies to simplify your certification process is to choose ingredient suppliers who have already achieved key industry standards. This is where partnering with a trusted B2B seasoning manufacturer like Magfood makes a difference. Magfood is a producer of seasoning powders, cooking spices, and premixes that is GMP (CPPOB) certified, has a BPOM distribution permit, is Halal certified, and holds an HACCP certificate.

Using Magfood’s pre-certified ingredients—from best-selling seasoning powders like Roasted Corn, Barbeque, and Cheese to non-MSG options—provides a solid foundation of safety and legality for your own products.

Through its research & development (R&D) division, Magfood develops recipes with the latest tastes and trends, enabling SMEs to compete with multinational companies.

Magfood food seasoning can be specially formulated (custom) through their private label services to create products with a taste and price tailored to your business. This allows the food and beverages you market to have their own “unique flavor” that differentiates them from competitors, providing a competitive advantage and aligning with your established positioning strategy.

Go Beyond Ingredients: Get Expert Mentorship with Magfood’s Coaching Clinic

Magfood offers a dedicated coaching clinic service designed to elevate your food business and products. Acknowledging that success requires more than just great ingredients, this service provides direct access to experienced practitioners who can guide you through business and product development challenges. Below are the terms and conditions.

• A Coaching Clinic package consists of one consultation session with a Magfood expert. You may attend by yourself or with your team, either online or offline.
• Each coaching session has a maximum duration of 90 minutes.
• Each session will focus on one specific topic as mutually agreed upon.
• The Coaching Clinic can commence 3 days after payment confirmation.
• A minimum of 3 coaching sessions is required per business.
• Contact us at 0855 8800 780 or 0811 1397 161 to start your journey.