Peppol Certified vs Accredited Service Providers, Why the Difference Matters
Peppol Certified vs Accredited Service Providers, Why the Difference Matters
As the Peppol network continues to expand across Europe and beyond, service providers encounter not only Peppol’s core policy framework but also diverse national adaptations. As outlined in our previous article Understanding how Peppol Authorities Shape Peppol, each jurisdiction’s Peppol Authority (PA) can define local rules through Peppol Authority Specific Requirements (PASRs). These rules may include Accreditation Requirements used for national approval processes. OpenPeppol, on the other hand, oversees certification to ensure technical consistency across the entire network. At Arratech, we find that understanding this distinction is essential for any organisation planning to operate across multiple Peppol jurisdictions.
"A Peppol certified service provider has demonstrated technical compliance with the Peppol specifications that govern document exchange. "
What It Means to Be Certified
A Peppol certified service provider has demonstrated technical compliance with the Peppol specifications that govern document exchange. Certification focuses on whether a provider can technically interoperate within the network according to OpenPeppol standards.
In practice, certification involves:
- Passing official interoperability and conformance tests
- Meeting security and operational requirements
- Being listed as a Peppol Certified Service Provider on the OpenPeppol website, either as an Access Point (AP) or Service Metadata Publisher (SMP)
Certification is therefore a statement of technical capability. It confirms that a provider’s system works correctly with others in the network, ensuring that invoices and other documents can be exchanged seamlessly.
"Accreditation ... is the process through which a PA in a given jurisdiction formally approves a service provider to operate locally."
What It Means to Be Accredited
Accreditation, by contrast, is about legal and administrative approval. It is the process through which a PA in a given jurisdiction formally approves a service provider to operate locally. As discussed in our earlier article Understanding how Peppol Authorities Shape Peppol, some jurisdictions include Accreditation Requirements in their PASR, meaning a service provider must be approved by the local PA before offering services to end users in that country.
Accreditation typically covers:
- Legal status and business registration
- Financial soundness and insurance requirements
- Security and data-protection obligations
- Successful completion of testing and documentation defined by the PA
How the Two Interact
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, certification and accreditation represent two complementary layers of trust.
| Aspect | Certified Service Provider | Accredited Service Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Granted by | National Peppol Authority | National Peppol Authority |
| Defined by | OpenPeppol | National Peppol Authority |
| Focus | Technical interoperability and compliance | Legal and administrative approval |
| Scope | Global or cross-jurisdictional | Country-specific |
| Outcome | Listed as technically compliant | Approved to operate in the jurisdiction |
Why This Distinction Matters
Recognising the difference between certification and accreditation helps service providers plan their Peppol strategy more efficiently. Certification ensures your systems can technically participate in the network. Accreditation ensures you are legally and administratively approved to do so within a particular national framework.
At Arratech, we use this distinction to help clients understand where they can start operating immediately and where a formal approval process is required. This not only reduces compliance risks but also supports a smoother onboarding process when expanding into new Peppol jurisdictions.
A Simple Path to Compliance
Navigating local accreditation processes and Peppol certification can slow your market entry. With Arratech’s shared-label Access Point and SMP services, you can bypass that complexity entirely. Our infrastructure is both certified and pre-accredited to meet multiple jurisdictions’ requirements. You gain instant access to compliant, ready-to-use connectivity that frees your team from administrative and technical burdens.
Start faster, stay compliant, and scale globally with Arratech’s trusted Peppol infrastructure.
