Peranan Pusat Layanan Usaha Terpadu Koperasi dan Usaha Mikro, Kecil, dan Menengah Kota Surakarta dalam Pendampingan Sertifikasi Halal Self Declare bagi Pelaku Usaha Mikro Kuliner

Abstract

Halal certification plays a crucial role in ensuring product safety for micro and small businesses, including micro food businesses in Surakarta. In practice, business owners still face challenges in understanding the requirements and procedures for applying for halal certification, making assistance from local government agencies essential. This study aims to analyze the role of the Integrated Business Service Center for Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (PLUT-KUMKM) in Surakarta City in providing guidance on halal certification, as well as to identify the factors that support and hinder its implementation. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation and analyzed through data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions using triangulation of sources and methods. The results indicate that PLUT-KUMKM functions as a regulator, catalyst, and facilitator. The role of facilitator is the most dominant, involving assistance with meeting requirements, preparing documents, verifying raw materials and production processes, submitting applications through SIHALAL, and following up on application-related obstacles. Supporting factors include the competence of advisors, service facilities, policy and institutional support, and the SEHATI program. Meanwhile, the barriers include limited scope of field visits, business owners’ readiness and understanding, discrepancies in application data, technical difficulties in using SIHALAL, and limited SEHATI quotas. This assistance generates public value in the form of ease in understanding and navigating the certification process, as well as the benefits of halal certification for business needs.