Starting January, every Belgian company will become reachable on the Peppol network via the identifier 0208 + company number. This marks a major step toward digital invoicing, but it also introduces new security considerations that businesses cannot afford to ignore.
What Does This Mean?
Your Peppol address is now public. In other words, the entire world knows exactly where your invoice inbox is located. Unlike email systems, Peppol does not have a built-in concept of “spam.” Sending 1,000 invoices is technically just 1,000 registered deliveries. There’s no inherent mechanism to block or filter unwanted traffic.
The Real Risk
While Peppol ensures interoperability and compliance, it does not guarantee security by default. If your access point or Service Metadata Publisher (SMP) does not enforce strict controls, you could be exposed to:
- Invoice flooding (similar to spam, but harder to detect)
- Fraudulent invoices
- Operational disruptions
The Key Question
It’s not simply: “Are you on Peppol?”
The real question is:
How strict is your access point and SMP when it comes to KYC, monitoring, and policing?
Best Practices for Security
- Choose a trusted access point provider with strong Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.
- Implement monitoring tools to detect unusual traffic patterns.
- Set up validation rules for incoming invoices to prevent fraud.
- Regularly audit your Peppol configuration to ensure compliance and security.
See also Tom Van Asbroeck
Latest Posts in "World"
- OECD Anti‑Corruption and Integrity Outlook 2026: Implications for VAT and Customs Enforcement
- Why ignoring tax during ERP migration can be so costly
- Peppol BIS Self-Billing 3.0 March 2026 Hotfix Release Published
- How Booking.com Accelerated Global E-Invoicing Compliance with Fonoa’s Scalable Solution
- Understanding the Reverse Charge Mechanism: VAT Liability, Compliance, and Key Application Scenarios
