What Is a Peppol Access Point? Benefits and How It Works

Belgium has announced a mandatory B2B e-invoicing regulation starting January 2026. This mandate adopts the European Peppol framework, a standardized model for exchanging electronic documents. At the center of this model is the Peppol Access Point (AP) , a certified gateway that businesses must use to send and receive structured invoices.

A Peppol Access Point acts like a secure postal service for e-documents. Just like you need an email provider to send messages, you need an AP to send Peppol-compliant invoices. This system ensures invoices are exchanged efficiently and securely between trading partners, regardless of which AP they use. Understanding the role of an Access Point is crucial for any business aiming to stay compliant and operate efficiently in Belgium's upcoming e-invoicing landscape.

Understanding Belgium E-Invoicing and Peppol

Belgium will use the Peppol (Pan-European Public Procurement Online) framework as the official channel for e-invoicing.

Peppol is not software but a set of standards and a network. It ensures that electronic documents (like invoices) are in a structured, interoperable format (like UBL or Peppol BIS) and can be securely exchanged between any two parties in the network.

The Peppol network follows a "4-corner model":

1. Sender (the business sending the invoice)
2. Sender's Access Point
3. Receiver's Access Point
4. Receiver (the customer receiving the invoice)

Each business connects to the network via an Access Point, much like a telecom provider connects you to a phone network. APs communicate using standardized protocols, ensuring full compatibility.

In Belgium, certified Access Point providers and platforms like Mercurius (government AP) play a key role in enabling businesses to comply with the mandate. Businesses will need to either integrate with a Peppol AP or use one that supports their ERP/accounting software.

What Is a Peppol Access Point?

A Peppol Access Point (AP) is a certified service provider that connects your business to the Peppol e-invoicing network. It acts like a secure digital post office that sends and receives electronic documents, such as e-invoices, on your behalf.

In the Peppol 4-corner model, every business (sender or receiver) connects through an Access Point. These APs handle the technical communication using Peppol standards, making sure the data is in the right format, securely transmitted, and delivered to the correct recipient’s AP. You do not need to build custom integrations with every trading partner, as long as both parties are using Peppol-certified APs, the system works.

Think of it like email: your email provider (like Gmail or Outlook) helps send messages to other email services. Similarly, your Peppol Access Point sends your e-invoices to any recipient in the network, whether they use a different provider or are located in another country.

Key aspects of an AP:

• Certified and Trusted: APs are vetted by OpenPeppol and local authorities.
• Interoperable: You can send invoices to any business on the Peppol network, regardless of their AP.
• Transparent: APs work in the background, abstracting technical details from the end user.

Core Functions of a Peppol Access Point

Peppol Access Points handle multiple technical and operational tasks to ensure e-invoicing is secure, efficient, and compliant:

• Document Routing: Transmit electronic invoices between sender and recipient via Peppol's secure network.
• SMP Lookup: Retrieve recipient metadata to confirm their ability to receive specific document types.
• Format Validation: Ensure invoices comply with Peppol BIS and UBL standards.
• Security: Manage encryption, authentication, and secure data transfer using protocols like AS4.
• Compliance Management: Stay updated with evolving Peppol and country-specific regulations.
• Delivery Acknowledgments: Notify senders of successful delivery or errors.
• Integration Support: Connect with ERP/accounting systems via APIs or user portals.
• ID Registration: Help businesses register and manage their Peppol IDs.
• Monitoring and Logs: Maintain transmission logs for audits and troubleshooting.
• Support and Tools: Offer dashboards, archiving, analytics, and customer support.

How a Peppol Access Point Works in the E-invoicing Process

A Peppol Access Point (AP) is the critical “messenger” that securely transmits electronic invoices and documents across the Peppol network. Here’s how it works step-by-step:

1. Invoice Submission: You (the sender) generate an invoice using your ERP/accounting software or a web portal connected to your chosen Access Point.
2. Peppol ID Lookup: The AP identifies the recipient by their Peppol ID and checks a directory (SMP – Service Metadata Publisher) to find which AP the recipient is registered with and what documents they can accept.
3. Document Packaging & Routing: Your AP wraps the invoice in a secure digital envelope (typically using AS4 protocol) and routes it to the recipient’s AP over the Peppol network.
4. Authentication & Handover: Both Access Points authenticate each other using digital certificates to ensure trust. The invoice is then securely handed over to the recipient’s AP.
5. Final Delivery: The recipient’s AP delivers the invoice to their internal system (ERP, inbox, or web portal), possibly transforming the format if needed.
6. Acknowledgment: A delivery status (success/failure) is sent back to the sender’s AP, keeping you informed of the outcome.

Benefits of Using a Peppol Access Point

Using a Peppol Access Point provides numerous advantages:

• Interoperability Across Businesses: Peppol Access Points allow you to exchange e-invoices with any other business on the network, no direct technical setup with each partner. 
• Easy Regulatory Compliance: AP providers handle the technical rules, formats, and updates required by Peppol and national regulations (like Belgium’s 2026 e-invoicing mandate).
• Secure Document Exchange: Invoices travel over a certified, encrypted, and authenticated network, far safer than emails. 
• Delivery Confirmation: You get real-time delivery status. If an invoice is undelivered or rejected, you’re alerted, helping improve cash flow visibility and dispute handling.
• Faster Processing & Payments: Invoices are delivered instantly and can flow directly into ERP systems. This speeds up approval and payment cycles.
• Scalability: Whether you send 10 or 10,000 invoices, AP infrastructure can handle the load. It works 24/7 and fits businesses of all sizes.
• Supports Multiple Document Types; Beyond invoices, APs can exchange orders, dispatch notes, and more, simplifying broader supply chain communication.
• Cost Savings: You save on printing, postage, manual handling, and EDI setups. While APs have fees, they’re usually lower than traditional methods.
• Easier Onboarding: Most APs help onboard your partners, especially small suppliers, with easy-to-use portals or free tools.
• Centralized Control: Using one AP simplifies monitoring, archiving, auditing, and managing your full invoicing process through a single channel.

How to Choose an Access Point?

Choosing the right Peppol Access Point (AP) is essential for smooth, compliant e-invoicing. Here’s what to look for:

1. Integration Compatibility: Check if the AP integrates easily with your accounting or ERP software. Some offer plug-and-play connectors for tools like SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks, etc.
2. Peppol Certification: Only choose certified Peppol Access Point providers. This ensures they meet technical and security standards set by OpenPeppol.
3. Service Features: Look for value-added features like:

• Document format conversion
• Archiving and audit trails
• Dashboards and analytics
• Support for other Peppol documents (like orders)

4. Local Support & Language: Choose a provider with responsive customer support in your time zone and local language, especially for regulatory or technical issues.
5. Scalability and Uptime: Your AP should handle increasing volumes reliably. Ask about their uptime, infrastructure, and disaster recovery.
6. Global Reach: If you have cross-border partners, make sure the AP has international Peppol experience and compliance.
7. Cost Structure: Understand pricing—per document, monthly flat fee, or volume-based tiers. Check for hidden costs like support or onboarding.
8. Onboarding Assistance: Some APs help onboard your suppliers and customers to the Peppol network—useful if you deal with many small partners.

Why Choose ClearTax?

ClearTax stands out as a trusted Peppol Access Point provider, especially for businesses looking to meet Belgium’s e-invoicing mandate efficiently. Here's why:

• Certified and Compliant: ClearTax is a certified Peppol Access Point, fully compliant with OpenPeppol standards and Belgium’s local regulations. 
• Seamless Integration: ClearTax integrates smoothly with major ERP and accounting systems whether you're using SAP, QuickBooks, or a custom solution.
• Fast and Reliable Delivery: With robust infrastructure and real-time status tracking, ClearTax ensures your invoices are delivered quickly and reliably—reducing rejections, delays, or lost documents.
• User-Friendly Platform: Businesses can choose from API-based integration or a simple web interface—making it easy for both large enterprises and SMEs to start sending e-invoices right away.
• End-to-End Support: ClearTax provides full onboarding assistance, live customer support, and helpful tools like dashboards, analytics, and validation checks.
• Cost-Effective: With transparent pricing and scalable plans, ClearTax offers great value whether you send 50 or 50,000 invoices a month.

Conclusion

A Peppol AP connects your business to the Peppol network, handling the technical tasks behind invoice transmission. It verifies recipient capabilities, validates document formats, encrypts data, and ensures compliance with Peppol standards. Access Points work on the 4-corner model—linking senders and receivers through their respective APs. The entire process includes invoice submission, recipient lookup, secure routing, delivery, and acknowledgment. APs also support ERP integrations, real-time tracking, and multiple document types beyond invoices.