The official proof that a Peppol operator is currently certified is a specific entry in the OpenPeppol public database. on the list of certified service providers. The list was last updated on August 25, 2026. Look for the operator's legal name, not the product brand, and make sure that the line says "AP Certified", meaning the Access Point certificate is valid. An Access Point is a service on the Peppol network that actually sends and receives invoices. This is not the same as the user interface of an accounting software. If a line only says "SMP Certified", it does not mean that the company operates a certified Access Point. The Peppol logo, OpenPeppol membership, or the promise of "Peppol-ready" do not prove anything. Always check the list, not the marketing material.
Why are you looking for a legal name and not a brand?
The list has two columns for name: „Member Name (trade name)“ and „Member Name (legal name)“. Your accounting software usually markets itself with a brand name, but Peppol service providers enter into a Service Provider Agreement with the Peppol Authority of the jurisdiction in which they are registered, and if there is no Peppol Authority in the relevant jurisdiction, enter into an agreement directly with OpenPeppol. If a familiar product name doesn't immediately appear on the list, look on the manufacturer's website or contract to see who the actual operator of their Access Point is, and check that name, not the brand.
AP, SMP or both: what do you really need?
If your company sends or receives Peppol invoices, the only thing that matters is the "AP Certified" status. Peppol Interoperability Framework describes Access Point as the service that actually transfers documents over the network, and Service Metadata Publisher, or SMP, as the service that publishes the receiving capabilities and address information of participants. These are two separate certificates. A company that only says „SMP Certified“ without „AP Certified“ can’t actually move your invoices over the network. It only manages the address book.
What to do if your software is not on the list?
Absence from the list does not automatically mean that the software is incompatible with Peppol. Many accounting and billing programs do not operate the Access Point themselves, but use another, already certified service provider. Ask the manufacturer directly which legal entity actually operates their Access Point, and check this name on the list. Candidate status is not a certificate. According to OpenPeppol contract documents may only provide the service after signing the contract and passed compliance testing, which results in the issuance of a production environment PKI certificate, or public key infrastructure certificate, which allows the Access Point to actually start working.
Does a logo or membership prove anything?
No. The Peppol logo on the website, the OpenPeppol membership status or the phrase „Peppol-ready“ are not certifications. These are marketing claims. Even OpenPeppol's own software list says directly that the solutions listed are just a summary of known applications that are not accredited by OpenPeppol. The only place to actually check for the existence of a certificate is the official list of certified service providers.
How often should you check the operator status?
The list is updated regularly and a certified service provider may disappear from there, if he breaks the rules and gets a sanction. Check the operator's status before signing a contract and again before a major launch. Three minutes of checking costs less than an invoice that never arrives. EU Directive 2025/516 will bring about a cross-border digital reporting and structured e-invoicing obligation from 1 July 2030. This does not turn the logo into a certificate, but it gives a good reason to start regularly reviewing the operator's status today.
FAQ
Where can I find official proof that a Peppol operator is certified?
The official certificate is on the OpenPeppol public list of certified service providers. Search for the operator's legal name and check that it says "AP Certified" on its line.
Does the Peppol logo or membership status prove certification?
No. The Peppol logo, OpenPeppol membership or „Peppol-ready“ is not a certification. The only place to check is the official list of certified service providers.
What is the difference between „AP Certified“ and „SMP Certified“ status?
„AP Certified“ means that the Access Point service transmits and receives invoices on the Peppol network. „SMP Certified“ alone means that the company mainly manages address data, not sends your invoices online.
What to do if the software list shows that the operator is missing?
Absence from the list does not automatically mean that the solution is not compatible. Ask the manufacturer which legal entity actually manages their Access Point and check this name against the OpenPeppol list.