Effectiveness Study of BPOM’s Assistance for MSMEs in Natural Medicine and Cosmetics to Obtain Distribution Permits

This study evaluates the effectiveness of BPOM’s mentoring programs for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the natural medicine and cosmetics sectors in navigating complex regulatory requirements to obtain product licenses. Despite the strategic role of MSMEs in supporting Indonesia’s economy, regulatory compliance remains a significant challenge, particularly due to limited resources and market access. Previous studies have highlighted the need for adaptive regulatory approaches and mentoring programs, but gaps remain in evaluating their long-term impact and inclusivity. This study offers novelty by analyzing the program’s effectiveness across diverse demographic and educational backgrounds, providing evidence-based insights into its impact. Using a descriptive quantitative approach, data were collected through surveys involving 35 MSME participants from the “Rembuk UMKM” event. The Likert-scale questionnaire assessed regulatory understanding, program effectiveness, and its impact on license readiness. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, generating insights into participant perceptions. The findings show that the mentoring program is most effective among younger participants (aged 18–25 years), scoring 4.53, while maintaining high effectiveness scores across all age groups. Educational background analysis revealed the highest scores (5.00) from vocational high school (SMK) and master’s (S2) participants, highlighting the program’s inclusivity and adaptability. However, team competence scored relatively lower (4.26), indicating the need for continuous capacity building. The study concludes that BPOM’s mentoring programs significantly enhance MSME compliance and build long-term trust, with strategic recommendations for continuous training, technology-based module development, regional collaborations, and structured feedback mechanisms. These initiatives aim to strengthen program relevance and sustainability, supporting MSMEs in achieving regulatory compliance and contributing to national economic growth.