<![CDATA[The mandatory halal certification agenda for Indonesian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is no longer merely a regulatory issue. Toward the October 2026 implementation phase, halal certification needs to be examined as a mechanism for strengthening halal literacy, digital readiness, institutional assistance, and business competitiveness. This article aims to synthesize recent studies on halal certification among Indonesian MSMEs by focusing on three interrelated issues: halal literacy, the digitalization of certification services, and MSME competitiveness. This study applies a systematic literature review using the PRISMA 2020 reporting logic. Literature was searched through Google Scholar, Garuda, DOAJ, Crossref/Dimensions-indexed metadata, SINTA journal portals, and official regulatory sources. From 99 initial records, 24 main articles published between 2020 and 2026 were included in the thematic synthesis. The findings show that halal certification barriers are concentrated in three layers. First, MSME halal literacy remains uneven, especially in procedural readiness, documentation, halal production processes, and post-certification obligations. Second, digital certification systems can improve service efficiency, but they may also create access gaps for MSMEs with weak digital and administrative capacity. Third, halal certification can strengthen consumer trust and market legitimacy, but its effect on competitiveness is not automatic; it depends on product quality, packaging, digital marketing, distribution, and institutional support. This article contributes an integrative framework that positions halal certification as a capability-building process rather than a mere compliance instrument.]]>
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