Indonesia does not (yet) have a single, standalone “plant biostimulant” law; instead, products marketed for stimulating plant growth or improving soil fertility are commonly regulated under existing frameworks for fertilizers—especially pupuk hayati (biofertilizer) and/or pembenah tanah (soil amendment)—which require testing and registration before they can be produced/imported and distributed.

As soon as the new biostimulant law kicks in, transitional arrangements are intended to grandfather existing registration numbers (“grandfathering” means that products already holding a valid Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) registration number under the current category (e.g., soil enhancer) can keep their market authorization when a new, dedicated bio-stimulant regulation enters into force, instead of having to re-register from scratch under the new rule).

Pupuk Hayati (biofertilizer): A product consisting of active biological agents (microbes) identified at least to the genus level, intended to facilitate nutrient availability, decompose organic matter, improve fertilizer efficiency, and support soil fertility/health.

Pembenah Tanah (soil amendment; when they do not make an N-P-K guarantee): A synthetic or natural (organic or mineral) material (solid or liquid) intended to improve the physical, chemical, and/or biological properties of soil. Plant bio-stimulants such as seaweed extracts and protein hydrolysates are treated as soil enhancers if they have no guaranteed N-P-K claim on the product.

Core regulatory requirements are chemical and efficacy testing and registration prior to placing on the market.

Testing (Pengujian): All products within scope must undergo quality testing and effectiveness testing (lab and/or field) as part of ensuring quality and efficacy.

Registration (Pendaftaran): Registration is the process to obtain a registration number that allows the product to be produced, imported, and distributed in Indonesia.

Practical implication for a “biostimulant” product: If a plant biostimulant is microbe-based and claims nutrient facilitation/soil health functions, it will typically be handled as pupuk hayati; if it is a non-microbial material intended to improve soil properties, it may be handled as pembenah tanah. In both cases, the pathway generally involves testing and then registration before legal distribution.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture requires products in the “organic fertilizer / biofertilizer / soil conditioner” space to be registered before marketing and distribution, under Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 01/2019. This framework includes licensing/registration, labeling, reporting, post-market surveillance, and sanctions for non-compliance.

Where a “biostimulant” is a microbial inoculant (often marketed similarly to biofertilizers), it must comply with minimum technical requirements set out in Minister of Agriculture Decree No. 261/KPTS/SR.310/M/4/2019, including laboratory testing (viability/contaminants) and field efficacy trials prior to registration.

An Indonesian specificity : Special-formula exception (not for public circulation). It means that if you manufacture a special formula specifically ordered by a user and not circulated freely, it:

- Does not have to be registered

- Must be reported before use for monitoring/supervision

- Is prohibited from being circulated/used for public needs

In all other cases, your first step will be to determine which category your plant biostimulant falls into and then follow the steps. These will typically to ensure the product meets mandatory standards (quality + effectiveness), the preparation of the registration dossier (administrative + label + brand) to apply for a registration number.

Be aware that you will have to deal and comply with company deed (and amendments), SIUP (Trade Business Permit)/TDUP (Trading Business Registration)) (or investment approval), NPWP, domicile/KTP (Indonesian Identity Card), signing authority statement and, if applicable, the SNI certificate (Indonesian National Standard) for products that already have SNI certification.

Once you have received your registration number, you can market your product. The registration is valid for 5 years and can be renewed.

Need help with your product for the Indonesian market ?

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The sciBASICS Team.