PEPPOL, a simple introduction for Accounts Payable professionals
A 5-minute, plain-English guide for AP teams who are hearing “PEPPOL” for the first time.
PEPPOL is a global network that lets companies and governments send electronic invoices and other business documents in a standard, secure way. Instead of emailing PDFs, PEPPOL sends structured data directly from one system to another. This reduces errors, speeds up processing, and makes automation easier.
A brief history
PEPPOL was launched in 2008 as a project funded by the European Commission. Its goal was to help businesses send invoices to government agencies across Europe. In 2012, governance moved to OpenPeppol, and the network expanded globally. Today, PEPPOL is used in many regions and is no longer limited to Europe.
Where PEPPOL is required vs. growing
Most mandates began with government invoicing (B2G), but business-to-business rules (B2B) are expanding.
| Country | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | Mandated | Required for most B2G and B2B invoices |
| Belgium | Mandated | B2B mandatory as of Jan 1, 2026 (3-month tolerance for good-faith efforts such as connecting to PEPPOL) |
| Singapore | Mandated | National e-invoicing mandate using PEPPOL |
| Norway | Mandated | Strong public sector mandate |
| Denmark | Mandated | Public sector required |
| Finland | Mandated | Public sector required |
| Sweden | Mandated | Public sector required |
| Australia | Mandated | Government suppliers increasingly required |
| New Zealand | Mandated | Government suppliers increasingly required |
| Germany | Phasing in | B2B receipt mandatory; issuance phased 2027 to 2028 |
| Netherlands | Voluntary | Strongly recommended for public sector |
| United Kingdom | Voluntary | No broad mandate |
| Japan | Limited | Small-scale use |
| United States | Very limited | No federal mandate |
Will PEPPOL be used in the United States?
PEPPOL could grow in the US because many companies work globally and want one invoicing standard. It also helps reduce fraud and manual work. However, there is no federal e-invoicing mandate, and sales tax rules vary by state. Adoption today is voluntary, with pilot programs and industry efforts such as the Business Payments Coalition exploring standardized B2B exchange models inspired by PEPPOL.
Why this matters
Most US AP teams do not use PEPPOL today. Still, it is becoming part of global AP conversations. PEPPOL also supports more than invoices, including orders and other purchase-to-pay documents. Understanding the basics now helps AP professionals stay prepared as invoicing standards continue to evolve.
Quick question: Have you ever received a PEPPOL invoice, or is this brand new to you?
Last updated: January 2026. PEPPOL requirements change frequently. Always check official country guidance.
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