What is Peppol? An overview of the Peppol Network

Peppol is a common framework for secure cross-border exchange of electronic business documents. The framework’s original purpose in 2008 was to make trade easier between European governments. Today, it has evolved far beyond the original intention with the overall objective now being to enable simple, safe e-document exchange between public and private entities worldwide.

Peppol is not a platform for document exchange, but rather a network that connects the many existing platforms already used by businesses and public administrations. It’s an IT infrastructure that makes it possible to connect and send messages to other systems also connected to the network.

The digitalisation of business processes is more and more prevalent and the use of e-documents, especially e-invoices, play a significant role in this transformation. E-invoicing is faster, more cost-efficient and more reliable than paper and emailed PDF invoices.

Governments worldwide are implementing e-invoicing mandates, and Peppol has widely become the chosen framework to do so. The infrastructure guarantees security and easy identification of companies sending and receiving e-invoices. Private businesses are also beginning to take advantage of e-invoicing, and Peppol is becoming the popular choice.

Some e-invoicing networks are proprietary, meaning that it is not possible to connect to the systems of other businesses, industries, countries or regions. Peppol is an open, interoperable network whose purpose is to bridge the gaps in communication between organisations on different systems and networks.

Currently, 31 European countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the United States use Peppol.

To access the benefits of the network, you need to connect to a certified Peppol Service Provider (SP). The SP connects your company to the network so you can send e-invoices and other e-documents in the correct format. To receive e-invoices, you must obtain a Peppol ID. The ID is a unique identification number which the SP can usually provide. Learn more and request access

In short, Peppol is the infrastructure for transferring e-documents and Peppol BIS (Business Interoperability Specifications) is the default format for documents sent through the infrastructure. Peppol BIS acts as a template and set of rules for how to structure the information in the e-documents.

The Peppol Directory, also known as the “yellow pages” of the network, lists all entities wishing to receive documents via the integrated network. The directory makes it easy for participants to find each other and identify each other’s digital capabilities.

OpenPeppol is a non-profit consortium of interested businesses that regularly gathers to make sure that Peppol remains an effective infrastructure for e-document exchange.

The consortium closely collaborates with stakeholders from a multitude of interest groups as well as representatives from countries that have adopted Peppol. This cooperation between participating entities means that organisations working in partnership with accredited SPs can be confident that their e-documents will be fully compliant.

The infrastructure is further strengthened by a rigorous qualification process for accredited SPs, conducted either through OpenPeppol or a local Peppol Authority.

If a country decides to adopt Peppol, it can either follow all regulations as detailed by OpenPeppol or create its own local Peppol Authority. By creating an Authority, a country can introduce local rules to better regulate regional e-document traffic.

There are currently 15 local Peppol Authorities, many of which have some deviation to the rules set out by OpenPeppol. Deviations include, but are not limited to, country-specific document types, registration in a particular SMP (service metadata publisher) or the mandated early adoption of communication protocol AS4.

When an Authority adapts rules, SPs with traffic in that region must also adjust their operations to ensure interoperability and compliance within the given market.

Pagero is an accredited SP and active member of OpenPeppol, but how does this make business easier for you?