Zero Friction & Chorus Pro: ready for B2B electronic invoicing requirement 2026
Zero Friction helps heat suppliers to invoice effortlessly, including to public administrations, and with the upcoming legislative changes, this help becomes even more valuable. Below, you'll discover what changes from 2026, why it's important for heat service providers, and how Zero Friction helps you stay compliant while achieving significant operational gains.
🏛️ What is Chorus Pro & what changes in 2026?
• Chorus Pro is the official invoicing portal of the French government for electronic invoices. Until now, it was mainly mandatory for invoices between businesses and the public sector (B2G: Business to Government).
• French legislation (notably ordinance No. 2021-1190) imposes a progressive deployment of electronic invoicing between businesses (B2B) between 2024 and 2026 for all companies subject to VAT.
• From September 1, 2026, large companies and ETIs (intermediate-sized enterprises) will be required to receive and issue electronic invoices in structured electronic formats compliant with standards such as Factur-X, UBL, CII.
• For smaller businesses (SMEs, VSEs, micro-enterprises), the obligation will follow later, specifically September 1, 2027 for full participation in B2B electronic invoicing.
• From September 2026, Chorus Pro will remain the reference platform for electronic invoicing in the public sector, both for receiving and sending invoices by public organizations, but companies will be able to choose between Chorus Pro or approved "partner dematerialization platforms" (PDPs) for sending to public entities.
What does this mean for heat suppliers?
If you supply heat to public institutions, or if your company deals with public administrations (municipalities, inter-municipal authorities, local authorities) in France, here are the main implications:
1. Transition to structured electronic invoices
Your invoices will need to comply with specific formats (Factur-X, UBL, CII) and technical requirements. PDF or paper invoices will no longer be sufficient for B2B relationships from the deadlines.
2. Technical integration with Chorus Pro or approved PDP
Your invoicing system will need to be connected to Chorus Pro or an approved partner (PDP). This can be done via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), API (Application Programming Interface), or via certification by government authorities. You need to ensure your software providers can deliver this connection.
3. Adaptation of internal processes
- Validate your invoicing operational flows: numbering, date, VAT data, specifications for heat supply, service fees, measurement data, etc.
- Ensure that invoice reception by customers via Chorus Pro works correctly.
- Readability and structure: even internal invoicing processes must comply with standards to avoid delays or rejections.
4. Cash flow and payment terms
Through faster, error-free transmission via electronic channels, payment delays can be minimized. Dynamic tracking becomes simpler. Fewer errors means fewer rejections.
5. Avoiding non-compliance risks and sanctions
Non-compliance can lead to invoice rejection, payment delays, or in some cases, sanctions or loss of the right to VAT deduction if invoices do not meet legal requirements.
💡 How Zero Friction supports you
Zero Friction offers features and services that specifically address the needs of heat suppliers:
• Native integration with Chorus Pro: automatic sending, automatic validation and tracking of invoice statuses.
• Support for structured invoice formats (UBL) so that your invoices comply with the requirements of 2026/2027 from day one.
• Built-in audit and compliance tool: you receive an alert in case of missing fields, incomplete data, or errors that could cause an invoice to be rejected.
• Flexibility: Zero Friction not only offers integration with Chorus Pro, but also establishes connections with PDPs. This allows you, depending on your customer portfolio (public sector or private companies), to deploy the most appropriate tools for electronic invoicing.
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