PEPPOL with India’s e-Invoicing system

Let’s look at how PEPPOL fits into India’s e-Invoicing system, particularly focusing on the IRN (Invoice Reference Number) model — and how they can work together or be aligned for global or cross-border trade compliance.

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🇮🇳 India’s IRN System: A Quick Recap

India's e-Invoicing mandate is managed by the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN). Here’s how it works:

🔁 India e-Invoicing Workflow

1. Supplier creates invoice in their ERP in JSON format.

2. The invoice is sent to the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP).

3. The IRP:

   • Validates the invoice

   • Digitally signs it

   • Returns it with:

     • IRN (Invoice Reference Number)

     • QR Code

4. Only then is the invoice considered valid under Indian GST law.

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🔗 PEPPOL + India IRN: Integration Possibilities

❓ Why link PEPPOL and IRN?

If a company operates internationally or with government/public sector buyers, it might need to:

• Use PEPPOL for cross-border or B2G (business-to-government) procurement.

• Use IRN for compliance within India.

✅ Possible Workflow: PEPPOL + IRN Hybrid Flow

[Seller ERP]
   |
   |-- Generates eInvoice (PEPPOL BIS)
   |
   |-- Convert to IRN-compliant JSON (Gov format)
   |
   |-- Send to IRP (Invoice Registration Portal)
         |
         |-- Validation, IRN + QR Code issued
         |
         |-- Updated invoice (Signed JSON or embedded IRN+QR in PDF)
   |
   |-- Forward to Buyer via PEPPOL Access Point
         |
         |-- Buyer receives compliant eInvoice via PEPPOL

✅ Complies with Indian GST laws
✅ Meets PEPPOL document transport standards
✅ Enables global interoperability

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📌 Key Technical Integration Points

Aspect	India IRN Model	PEPPOL Model
Format	JSON schema (Govt-specified)	UBL XML (PEPPOL BIS standards)
Validation Authority	IRP (Invoice Registration Portal)	No central validator, peer-to-peer model
e-Signature	Mandatory (done by IRP)	Optional
Transport	API (pull/push to IRP)	AS4 over 4-corner model
Compliance Scope	Domestic B2B & B2G invoices	B2G and cross-border invoices

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🌐 Use Cases Where This Is Relevant

1. Multinational suppliers in India: Need IRN for Indian buyers, PEPPOL for foreign or government clients.

2. ERP/EDI providers: Want to build connectors that support both workflows.

3. Government procurement: If GoI adopts PEPPOL, vendors will need to do both IRN & PEPPOL transmission.

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🧠 Pro Tip

Some platforms (like ClearTax, SAP GRC, Avalara) are already working on bridges between IRP & PEPPOL formats. These tools can:

• Convert PEPPOL BIS invoice to IRP JSON

• Attach IRN and QR Code to UBL format

• Route the document via PEPPOL after validation

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Would you like:

• A diagram showing this flow? Below mentioned 

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• Info on tools/APIs that enable this?

Let me know how deep you’d like to go!