Common Mistakes Companies Make When Processing Licenses

In supporting various companies through certification and licensing, there are a number of recurring mistake patterns found — regardless of the type of license being applied for. Recognizing these patterns can help internal company teams avoid them from the start.

1. Delaying the Process Until Close to the Deadline

Many companies only start certification when an urgent need is approaching — for example ahead of a tender or product launch. In reality, the certification and licensing process takes variable time and is difficult to accelerate unilaterally, especially during testing or audit stages by external institutions.

2. Inconsistent Documents Across Institutions

Data in company legality documents (such as NIB or deed of establishment) that is not synchronized with documents submitted to certification institutions is a common cause of delay. Mismatches in company name, address, or business classification between documents can trigger requests for additional clarification.

3. Assuming Obligation Status Without Confirmation

A number of companies assume their product is not in a mandatory certification category based on the experience of similar products in the past, without reconfirming the latest status. In reality, the scope of mandatory categories for SNI, BPOM, and NPB can change over time.

4. Not Accounting for Validity Period and Renewal

Certificates and licenses generally have a specific validity period. A common mistake is not monitoring renewal deadlines, causing certificates to expire unnoticed and affecting the operational legality of the product or service concerned.

5. Fully Delegating the Process Without Internal Monitoring

While the licensing process can be supported by an external party, the company's internal team still needs visibility into the status and stages of the process. A lack of internal monitoring makes it difficult for a company to anticipate delay risks or obstacles that arise mid-process.

Summary

Most obstacles in the licensing process stem from insufficient planning, not from the complexity of regulations themselves. Realistic time planning, document consistency, and active monitoring are key to avoiding these recurring mistakes.