How Peppol Network Works?
E-invoicing mandates are no longer a future concern—they’re arriving country by country, and fast. Failing to adapt can cost you time, money, and compliance headaches. But the good news? There’s a global solution: Peppol.
In this blog, we break down how the Peppol network works, why it’s becoming the backbone of global e-invoicing, and how your business can plug in now—before the rest of the market catches up. From technical foundations to real-world implementation, here's what you need to know.
What Is Peppol Network’s Vision?
PEPPOL (Pan-European Public Procurement Online) originates from Belgium and is widely adopted across the European Union, with the goal of standardizing electronic document exchange between businesses in a secure, fast, and cost-efficient way. All transactions are handled electronically, using machine-readable code, not visible to the average user.
While PEPPOL started in Europe, it’s now expanding globally, with many countries either adopting it as the official invoicing standard or mandating its use—including New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and even Japan.
And with the EU moving towards mandatory B2B e-invoicing by 2030, PEPPOL is playing a central role in driving global standardization.
The Building Blocks of Peppol Network
The Peppol Network consists of three core components, which we’ll cover in detail in the following sections. For now, here’s a quick overview:
How Does Peppol Network Operate?
The Peppol Network is basically a connection, used to exchange electronic documents, but he documents themselves must be created by your software. Peppol operates on a 4-corner model, enabling seamless connectivity between businesses and government agencies worldwide. Once connected, any organization on the network can easily send and receive documents with any other participant. Here’s how:
Access points (APs)
A key part of the Peppol network infrastructure is the Access Point (AP). It serves as a gateway that enables businesses and government agencies to exchange electronic documents, especially e-invoices.
When an e-invoice passes through an AP, the government may gain access to it—since Peppol is government-regulated. In some cases, authorities use this to enforce real-time reporting, verify, and digitally stamp the invoice before it’s delivered to the recipient’s AP.
It’s important to note: an Access Point is not the same as your invoicing software. While some invoicing platforms include AP functionality, there are only around 300 certified Access Points worldwide. These APs form a secure, global network that allows for standardized, cross-border document exchange. You’re free to choose any certified AP you prefer.
When you send invoices via Space Invoices, we act as your certified Access Point, handling both the transmission and compliance for you.
Who Is Behind Peppol Network Governance
The Peppol network is developed, maintained, and regulated by OpenPeppol, a non-profit international association established in Belgium. OpenPeppol is responsible for the technical specifications, standards, and overall governance of the network.
Local regulations are managed in partnership with Peppol Authorities (PAs)—national bodies appointed by their governments. These authorities are responsible for:
How Can You Use Peppol Network Today?
Space Invoices is a global invoicing API, compliant in 70+ countries, acting as your Peppol Access Point—streamlining the entire e-invoicing process from start to finish. Here’s what you gain:
Have questions about Peppol or e-invoicing?
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