How to Comply with the B2B E-Invoicing Directive via Peppol: A Step-by-Step Guide

As a company issuing B2B invoices in the European Union, you will soon face the requirement for B2B e-invoicing via Peppol according to the EU directive. On this page, we explain what the EU Directive entails and how deadlines differ per country.

Are You Ready for Mandatory B2B E-Invoicing with Your International Trading Partners?

You may have already heard about it: moving forward, the EU is requiring B2B parties to use Peppol for e-invoicing. With varying deadlines for implementation across different countries, you might think there is no need to worry just yet. However, the sense of urgency is greater than you might realize. As some local authorities have recently adopted the Peppol requirement or are planning to do so in the near future (e.g., Belgium as of 1 January 2026), any company doing business with local players will need to comply with e-invoicing via Peppol.

What Does It Mean in Practice?

It is time to start planning the transition. Your financial department should be aware of the upcoming e-invoicing requirement. It is crucial to map out how to comply with the European Commission's e-invoicing regulation for each trading relationship.

• Has your finance officer made a plan for the transition?

• Do you have any planning in place?

• Have you enlisted outside help and possibly hired an expert?

As daunting as the transition may seem at first, let us walk you through the necessary steps to prepare for it stress-free. Descartes is here to support you in every instance.

Steps to Ensure Compliance

1. Understand the B2B e-invoicing requirements

Familiarize yourself with the specific e-invoicing requirements in your country, including the mandatory formats and deadlines. For example, in Belgium, B2B e-invoicing will be mandatory from January 1, 2026.

2. Choose an access point provider

Peppol operates on a network of access points. Select a certified Peppol access point provider that can connect your business to the Peppol network. Descartes has been a certified access point since 2019. As your provider of choice we will facilitate the sending and receiving of e-invoices.

3. Integrate systems

Ensure your accounting or ERP system is compatible with Peppol standards. Many modern accounting software solutions already support Peppol e-invoicing. If your current system does not, you may need to upgrade or use middleware to bridge the gap. Descartes can support you with that.

4. Register on the Peppol network

As your access point provider, Descartes will register your business on the Peppol network. This involves obtaining a Peppol ID, which uniquely identifies your business on the network.

5. Format invoices correctly

Rely on Descartes to ensure your invoices are formatted according to the Peppol Business Interoperability Specifications (BIS) standard. This structured format allows for automatic processing and ensures compliance with the directive.

6. Test the system

Before going live, Descartes assists you in thorough testing to ensure that your e-invoices are correctly formatted and can be successfully sent and received via the Peppol network.

7. Train your staff

Educate your finance and accounting teams on the new e-invoicing processes and ensure they are comfortable with the new way of working.

8. Monitor Peppol compliance

In order to ensure your ongoing compliance with the directive, Descartes stays updated with any changes in regulations or Peppol standards.

By following these steps, Descartes assists companies, such as yours, to smoothly transition to compliant B2B e-invoicing via the Peppol network. Don’t miss the deadline and start preparing today!

Join the numerous companies that have partnered with us to meet the various B2B e-invoicing requirements. Reach out to us via the button below for additional questions or detailed guidance.