Peppol knowledge base

Plain-language explanations of how the Peppol network works: identifiers, BIS Billing, PINT, EN 16931, security and more.

• Access Point vs SMP — who does what

  The Peppol network splits duties between Access Points (transport) and SMPs (address book). What each service does and why most businesses never need to think about the SMP.

• E-invoicing basics

  What counts as an electronic invoice, why PDFs usually don't, and the vocabulary you need before reading any mandate — in ten minutes.

• EN 16931 — the European e-invoicing norm

  EN 16931 defines the semantic core of a European electronic invoice. What the norm covers, how CIUS profiles restrict it, and why every mandate references it.

• How Peppol works — the 4-corner model

  The Peppol 4-corner model explained — sender, sender's Access Point, receiver's Access Point, receiver — plus SMP, SML and how a document finds its way.

• Peppol BIS Billing 3.0

  Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 is the network's standard invoice and credit note specification, built on UBL and compliant with EN 16931. What it contains and how validation works.

• Peppol FAQ

  Frequently asked questions about the Peppol network — costs, obligations, timelines, security and how to get connected.

• Peppol glossary

  Short definitions of every Peppol term — Access Point, SMP, SML, BIS, PINT, EN 16931, AS4, CTC and more.

• Peppol ID — identifiers and schemes explained

  A Peppol ID combines a scheme code (ICD/EAS) with an official identifier such as a VAT or company number. How to read one, how to find yours, and how to register it.

• PINT — the Peppol International Invoice

  PINT is the international invoice model that lets Peppol work beyond Europe, with national specialisations for Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, the UAE and Australia/New Zealand.

• Security and trust on the Peppol network

  How Peppol secures document exchange — the PKI, signed AS4 messaging, certified providers and what that means for confidentiality and proof of delivery.

• The 5-corner model — CTC and e-reporting on Peppol

  The 5-corner model adds tax authorities as a fifth participant receiving invoice data in near real time. How it works, where it's live, and how EU ViDA builds on it.

• The Peppol Directory

  The Peppol Directory is the opt-in public search of network participants. What it contains, how to get listed, and how it differs from the SMP/SML infrastructure.

• UBL vs CII — the two e-invoice syntaxes

  EN 16931 invoices come in two XML syntaxes, UBL and UN/CEFACT CII. How they differ, who uses which, and why Peppol chose UBL.

• What is Peppol?

  Peppol is an open network for exchanging structured business documents — e-invoices, orders, despatch advices — between organisations worldwide, governed by OpenPeppol.