Open Access
Guided by the principle of Open Access, eurofactura is working to establish its own Peppol Access Point in order to enable open, standards-compliant access to the digital invoicing infrastructure. The goal is to provide users with a reliable and interoperable connection to the Peppol network, thereby laying the foundation for a high-performance and scalable e-invoicing and reporting landscape—particularly in light of European developments surrounding ViDA and the introduction of digital reporting obligations.
Open Access in the Context of ViDA and Digital Reporting
With ViDA (VAT in the Digital Age), the European Commission is advancing the introduction of digital reporting and control mechanisms for VAT-relevant transactions. At its core are Digital Reporting Requirements (DRR), which call for the timely transmission of structured transaction data to authorities.
This changes the role of the e-invoice: beyond being a mere document, it also becomes the carrier of standardized, machine-readable data for tax reporting processes. The prerequisite is end-to-end, interoperable exchange mechanisms. Networks such as Peppol are gaining strategic importance in this regard, as they already provide an established infrastructure for secure, structured, and cross-border data exchange.
This is where eurofactura’s Open Access approach comes in, simplifying access to this infrastructure and creating a basis for the consistent implementation of e-invoicing and reporting processes.
Why Open Access Is Necessary
Today, access to the Peppol network is provided largely through commercial providers with varying technical characteristics, integration approaches, and cost structures. This creates additional hurdles for many users. An Open Access approach reduces dependencies, simplifies connectivity, and creates a uniform basis for using standardized exchange procedures.
Scope of Services
The Access Point enables the standards-compliant sending and receiving of electronic invoices via the Peppol network and supports formats within the scope of EN 16931 and Peppol BIS.
Its core functions include:
- standards-compliant sending and receiving of documents
- routing of messages within the Peppol network
- unique identification of participants (Peppol Participant ID)
- secure and traceable data transmission
Operating and Architecture Principle
The Access Point is operated on the basis of clear technical and organizational guidelines, with a focus on standards compliance, interoperability, and scalability, as well as requirements for availability, security, and data protection. The architecture can be integrated flexibly and is designed for companies of all sizes.
Added Value for Users
The Access Point enables simplified access to the Peppol network without the need to build proprietary infrastructure. Barriers to entry are reduced, and a reliable, standards-compliant connection is ensured. At the same time, the open approach strengthens independence in the choice of software solutions and creates a future-proof basis for regulatory requirements.
The Role of eurofactura
eurofactura provides the Access Point as a neutral entity and aligns its ongoing development with the requirements of real-world practice. The Open Access approach thereby contributes to building an accessible, interoperable, and sustainable infrastructure for digital invoice processing.