France Designates DGFiP as Its National Peppol Authority Ahead of 2026 B2B E-Invoicing Mandate
As part of its preparations for the mandatory implementation of B2B electronic invoicing in September 2026, France's tax administration-Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP)-formally announced on July 8, 2025, that it has been appointed as the national authority for the Peppol standard in France. With this move, France joins a group of over 20 countries participating in the OpenPeppol network, a cross-border framework that supports standardized electronic data exchange in public procurement and invoicing.
What the Peppol Appointment Means
As France’s official Peppol Authority, DGFiP is now responsible for promoting, implementing, and supervising the use of Peppol standards and infrastructure nationwide. The goal is to enable seamless interoperability in the exchange of electronic invoices and business data between suppliers, buyers, and certified Partner Dematerialization Platforms (PDPs).
DGFiP will work directly with OpenPeppol, the non-profit organization that governs the development and technical specifications of the Peppol framework.
Peppol Pilot Phase in France
The establishment of the Peppol Authority by DGFIP followed a successful Proof of Concept and constructive engagement with the French authorities responsible for delivering the eInvoicing Reform programme. A production-ready version of the system is expected to launch by January 2026, several months ahead of France’s e-invoicing mandate.
The Role of Peppol in E-Invoicing
Peppol is a secure, standardized framework for exchanging electronic business documents, including e-invoices and purchase orders. It operates on a four-corner model, where communication occurs through certified Peppol Access Points-secure gateways that ensure format compliance and interoperability across the network.
Businesses can either operate their own Access Points or rely on third-party providers. Each participating country designates a national authority to oversee compliance with Peppol technical specifications and service requirements. While this role is often filled by the national tax authority, non-commercial organizations may also serve in this capacity.
Initially developed within the EU, Peppol now spans over 40 countries. Since 2020, EU public entities have been legally required to accept invoices in Peppol format. France’s recent appointment of DGFiP as its national Peppol authority reinforces its commitment to aligning with Europe’s broader digital transformation in procurement and tax compliance.
There’s more you should know about e-invoicing in France – learn more about the new and upcoming regulations.
