Description eProcurement - Opening doors to cross-border business Many EU countries use electronic procurement (eProcurement) to make bidding for public sector contracts simpler and more efficient. However, these national solutions have limited communication across borders. PEPPOL will make electronic communication between companies and government bodies possible for all procurement processes in the EU. It will connect existing national systems, crucial for allowing businesses to bid for public sector contracts anywhere in the EU; an important step towards achieving the Single European Market.eProcurement systems are already functioning in several Member States. However, many public administrations lag behind industry in electronic data exchange with their suppliers. The lack of common standards is a major obstacle for companies - especially small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) - participating in public procurement. PEPPOL will build on current eProcurement activities at national level to allow companies in the EU to communicate electronically with government institutions in other countries for procurement processes. The pilot project will facilitate the electronic cross border exchange of orders, invoices, and catalogues. It also includes the reuse of company information required for bidding. The mutual recognition of electronic signatures will also be addressed.A core team of EU Member States are involved in this project in order to ensure that the development of new technologies in different countries does not create new barriers to the Single Market.Both governments and their suppliers will benefit from more efficient, harmonized electronic procurement and invoicing processes.  It is anticipated that the use of eProcurement will save billions of Euros not only by reducing administrative burden but also by increasing competition and transparency. Taxpayers will ultimately benefit from the increased efficiency of the procurement processes and the savings achieved through better competition.