With less than a year to go before the reform of electronic invoicing comes into force, there is an increasing amount of information and questions on the subject. With deadlines fast approaching, understanding the new mechanisms is essential. At the heart of this transformation, a key player is emerging: the Approved Platform (AP), formerly known as the Partner Dematerialisation Platform (PDP). But what exactly is an Authorised Platform? And above all, how can you make the right choice for your business?

What is an Approved Platform (AP)?

The Approved Platform or AP (ex-PDP) is a central pillar of the new electronic invoicing model in France. Commissioned by the tax authorities (DGFiP), an AP is a registered private platform that issues, receives and transmits electronic invoices between companies, as well as transmitting transaction data (e-reporting) and payment data (e-payment) to the tax authorities.

Unlike the Public Billing Portal (PPF, embodied by Chorus Pro), which is a free, public player, the Approved Platforms (AP, ex-PDP) are private players offering additional, high value-added services.

Its main tasks are:

• Receiving and issuing electronic invoices: This enables your company to send and receive invoices in structured formats (UBL, CII, Factur-X) that comply with legal requirements.
• Conformity check: This checks the validity of electronic invoices (signature, file structure, etc.) before transmission.
• Transmission to the Directory: This interfaces with the central Directory, which references all the platforms (PAs) to ensure that invoices are routed to the correct destination platform.
• Transmission to the PPF (Public Billing Portal): This sends invoices and transaction data (e-reporting) as well as payment data (invoice lifecycle status) to the Public Billing Portal, which then forwards them to the tax authorities.
• Invoice lifecycle management: manages invoice processing status (submitted, accepted, rejected, paid, etc.) to ensure complete traceability.

In short, PA is your trusted intermediary for the transition to electronic invoicing, ensuring that your billing flows are compliant, secure and efficient.

Why choose an approved AP platform: a choice that will soon be unavoidable

While the initial idea of the reform was to use the Public Billing Portal (PPF, embodied by Chorus Pro) as a basic option, the timetable and procedures have been adjusted. From September 2026, all businesses will be obliged to use a State-approved platform, PA (formerly known as Plateformes de Dématérialisation Partenaire (PDP)), to send and receive their electronic invoices.

Choosing an Authorised Platform (AP) is therefore no longer just a question of optimisation, but a future regulatory requirement. Beyond this obligation, an AP offers advanced functionalities and invaluable support:

• Increased automation: data extraction, pre-filling, integration with your management tools (ERP, accounting).
• Complex workflow management: Ability to manage large volumes of invoices, advanced statuses and validation workflows.
• Value-added services: legal archiving, monitoring dashboard, dispute management, payment functions.
• Guidance and support: A dedicated team to help you through the transition and answer any questions you may have.
• Optimised e-reporting and e-payment: A PA simplifies the collection and transmission of additional data required by the authorities, including invoice lifecycle statuses.

In short, by anticipating this choice and equipping yourself with an Authorised Platform (AP) now, you can ensure a smooth transition in line with future legislation, while benefiting from high-performance solutions for managing your company.

How do you choose the right Authorised Platform (AP) for your business?

Choosing your AP is a strategic decision that will have a direct impact on the efficiency of your financial processes. Here are the essential criteria to consider:

1. Registration and Compliance

• Check registration: Make sure that the platform is registered and recognised by the DGFiP. The official list is published and updated regularly. This is your first guarantee of reliability.
• Format compliance: The AP must manage all mandatory electronic invoice formats (UBL, CII, Factur-X) and be able to convert them if necessary.
• Data security: The platform must guarantee the security, integrity and confidentiality of your data (ISO 27001 certifications, hosting in France, RGPD).

2. Integration capacity and compatibility

• With your existing IS: The AP must be able to integrate easily with your current systems (ERP, accounting software, CRM, management tools). A robust API is a plus. Azopio, for example, is committed to providing seamless integration with your business tools.
• Interoperability: This must ensure seamless communication with other APs and the PPF, whatever your choice of commercial partners.

3. Services and Features

• Automated extraction: Ability to accurately extract invoice data, even from suppliers who have not yet switched to electronic invoicing (PDF invoices).
• Status and lifecycle management: Provide clear visibility of the status of each invoice (sent, received, refused, paid, etc.).
• E-reporting and E-payment: Facilitating the automatic transmission of transaction and payment data to the authorities.
• Legal archiving: Offer a legally compliant electronic invoice archiving service.
• Dashboards and reporting: Tools to monitor your flows, analyse your data and facilitate controls.
• Advanced features: electronic document management (EDM), automatic reconciliation, advanced validation workflows.

4. Cost and Business Model

• Transparent pricing: Understand the cost structure (per invoice, per user, monthly subscription, integration fees, etc.).
• Value for money: weigh up the services included against the price.

5. Customer support and assistance

• Availability and responsiveness: Good support is crucial to help you through the transition and answer any questions you may have.
• Training: Clear resources to help you and your teams get to grips with the platform.

6. Reputation and Feedback

• Testimonials and case studies: Don’t hesitate to ask for references or consult the opinions of other users.
• Stability of the solution: A proven platform with a good reputation for reliability is preferable.

Azopio: Your trusted partner for electronic invoicing

At Azopio, we anticipate our customers’ needs and are listed as an Approved Platform (AP) on the government website. Our aim is to offer you a complete, intuitive and compliant solution for managing all your e-invoicing flows, from point of entry to payment.

By choosing Azopio, you are opting for a platform that not only complies with all the legal requirements for electronic invoicing, but also provides you with :

• Extensive automation of invoice collection and processing.
• A user-friendly interface that’s easy to learn.
• Seamless integration with your business tools.
• Uncompromising data security.
• Personalised support for a smooth transition.

The reform of electronic invoicing is a unique opportunity to optimise your financial processes. Choosing your Authorised Platform (AP) is a decisive step in making this transformation a success. Take the time to assess your needs and choose the partner who can support you as you move into the future of invoicing.