# PEPPOL Network

Peppol exchanges structured business documents through approved service providers in participating markets.

## What is PEPPOL?

Peppol is a four-corner network for exchanging structured business documents through approved service providers. It supports B2G and B2B processes where the recipient and country use Peppol. Check the current OpenPeppol directories for provider and market coverage.

> **Growing Network**: Availability depends on the recipient, country rules, document type, and service provider. Check the OpenPeppol directories and the recipient requirements before implementation.

## Network Features

- Secure document transmission
- Uniform business standards
- Cross-border interoperability
- Certified Access Points
- Transport and status evidence
- BIS validation; recipient and national checks still apply

## Benefits of Using PEPPOL

### Cost
Removes paper-based invoice processing and reconciliation overhead. OpenPEPPOL members publish case studies on the openpeppol.org members directory.

### Speed
AS4 transports structured invoices between access points. Delivery time depends on both providers and the recipient; monitor the delivery receipts.

### Trust
Service providers must meet applicable OpenPeppol and Peppol Authority requirements. AS4 supports signed messages and transport evidence; keep the delivery receipts.

### Compliance
Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 implements EN 16931 business rules. National rules, participant identifiers, and receiving channels still need a separate check.

## PEPPOL Connection in 6 Steps

1. Choose a PEPPOL Access Point (AP) provider from the OpenPEPPOL service-provider directory.
2. Register your participant identifier (e.g. 9930:DE123456789 for a German VAT ID; 9930 is the EAS code for German VAT numbers).
3. Your AP publishes your participant identifier and supported document types to the SMP (Service Metadata Publisher) and SML (Service Metadata Locator).
4. Implement EN 16931-conformant UBL invoices (typically Peppol BIS Billing 3.0, customizationID `urn:cen.eu:en16931:2017#compliant#urn:fdc:peppol.eu:2017:poacc:billing:3.0`).
5. Test outbound delivery against the OpenPEPPOL test directory before going live.
6. Monitor receipts (MLR — Message Level Response) and invoice responses (IR — Invoice Response per EN 16931-1).

## Direct connection vs access point

### Use an access point
Most teams connect through a certified provider for SMP registration, AS4 messaging, and operational monitoring.

### Direct participation
Running your own access point requires provider onboarding, conformance testing, security controls, and ongoing operations.

## PEPPOL Business Processes

### BIS 3.0 Billing (BIS)
Standard invoicing Usage: Most common application

### BIS 3.0 Ordering (BIS)
Electronic orders Usage: Procurement processes

### BIS 3.0 Catalogue (BIS)
Product catalogues Usage: E-commerce integration

### BIS 3.0 Despatch Advice (BIS)
Shipping notifications Usage: Logistics processes

## Certified Access Point Providers

### OpenPEPPOL Service Provider Directory (OpenPEPPOL)
EU. Certified

## Resources & Links

- [OpenPEPPOL Website](https://peppol.eu/)
- [Certified Access Point Providers](https://peppol.org/members/peppol-service-providers/)
- [PEPPOL Documentation](https://docs.peppol.eu/)
- [UBL Format](/resources/compliance/ubl-universal-business-language)
- [DIN EN 16931-1](/resources/compliance/din-en-16931-1-standard)