WHAT IS SNI?

For manufacturers and traders who would like to import products to Indonesia, the good news is, most of the products can be imported to the country by just obtaining a general import license. However, for certain products, you will need to have supplementary licenses such as SNI.

As a matter of fact, as a foreign company or an entrepreneur who would like to expand business to Indonesia, you should always be ready to have SNI certification. With SNI certification, you will ensure a smoother and more productive business process now and in the future. Furthermore, this certification will open up more business and market opportunities for your entrepreneurial venture.

This article discusses everything you need to know about SNI license and product registration in Indonesia.

WHAT IS SNI?

SNI stands for Standar Nasional Indonesia (Indonesian National Standard). It is a standard drafted and determined by the National Standardization Agency of Indonesia (BSN) and Technical Committee on goods, services, system, process, and personnel in the territory of Indonesia.

SNI is the only standard that is applied to products and services nationally in Indonesia and is used to determine the conformity of the standard quality of a product. SNI is obtained via a third–party product certification system with specified requirements. These requirements include product sample testing, quality system assessment and surveillance during the entire process.

Moreover, SNI is one of the several non-tariff import restrictions that are enforced by the Indonesian government. When you see the SNI marking on a product in Indonesia, it tells you that the product meets the requirements of SNI standard. It also means that the product has been proven safe for consumers; and is allowed to be sold anywhere across Indonesia.

WHY DO YOU NEED SNI LICENSE IN INDONESIA?

According to the Ministry of Industry, it is compulsory for certain products to have SNI license before you are able to import, distribute and sell these products in the Republic of Indonesia.

The purpose for businesses to acquire SNI license, as previously mentioned, is to provide good quality product and protect the consumers in terms of safety under the national standards. There are two types of SNI license: required SNI license and optional SNI license.

In an effort for SNI certification to be accepted and widely adopted by businesses in Indonesia, the Indonesian government formulated SNI requirements with fulfillment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Code of Good Practice.

The WTO Code of Good Practice consists of the following:

1.Transparency
A transparent system allowing all relevant stakeholders to keep pace with the progress of SNI certification from start to finish (from import to audit to final license issuance). Information can also be easily obtained from the authorities in charge.

2.Openness
SNI certification is open to all interested stakeholders to participate and see the entire development of SNI.

3.Coherence
SNI certification is coherent with international standards and is updated and revised with the latest requirements from time to time. The coherence enables the continuous development of the market in Indonesia so that it is not isolated from global market development. In addition, this code of practice facilitates international trade of Indonesia with all countries globally.

4.Consensus and Impartiality
SNI certification is formulated based on impartiality and consensus. All stakeholders will be treated fairly without bias and prejudice.

5.Effectiveness and Relevance
This code of practice facilitates local and international trades by paying attention to market needs and demands. It will not be in conflict with relevant applicable regulations and laws.

6.Dimension of Development
The dimension of development focuses on both national and public interests in Indonesia. This is to increase the competitive edge of the overall economy in Indonesia as well as the global economy.

LIST OF PRODUCTS THAT REQUIRE SNI LICENSE

In general, products that need SNI license include the following categories:

• Food and beverages
• Bicycles
• Children’s toys
• Air conditioners and fans
• Helmets and tires
• Instant coffee and cacao powder
• Mineral water
• Washing machines and refrigerators
• Iron and steel products
• Power cable and lamps
• Lights and lighting materials
• LPG pipe or tube
• Construction materials
• Palm oil, sugar, cookies and biscuits
• Fertilizers
• Lighters, batteries, and mirrors
• Water pumps and toilets
• Glass materials used for building, ceramic, and cement

However, not all products that belong to the aforementioned categories are required to obtain SNI License. It is highly recommended that you contact Cekindo if you are unsure whether your products fall under these categories of SNI certification. We have a complete list of products that require SNI certification.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SNI LICENSE

In brief, the procedure of SNI License application is as follows:

1. Submit application and required documents to SNI institution
2. SNI institution will verify the documents
3. Your company and factory in origin country will go through audit process and sample taking
4. Sample will be tested
5. SNI certificate will be issued

For your products to be distributed and sold successfully in Indonesia, the recognition of your product quality and safety through the SNI license and product registration is of significant importance. The consumers will need to trust your products before they make their purchase decision.