Is it time to set up a point-of-sale system or replace the solution you chose in the past? In addition to being high-performing and tailored to your needs, it must, above all, comply with the law. Compliance must be verifiable in two ways: through a statement from the software vendor or, even better, through a certification such as NF525.
No need to frown. By the end of this article, you’ll know everything there is to know about the NF525 standard!
Finance Law No. 2015-1785 of December 29, 2015—and more specifically, Article 88 of the so-called “anti-VAT fraud” law—establishes the legal and regulatory framework governing cash register systems. As a restaurant owner, you are under no obligation to install a cash register, but if you do, it must comply with this law, effective January 1, 2018.
This law requires every business owner who operates a cash register and is subject to VAT to be able to prove that their software is compliant. This proof can take two different forms.
The first, and without a doubt the simplest and most effective, is the NF525 certification. Before being a standard, NF is above all a mark owned by the AFNOR group. The NF525 mark, which is the subject of this article, is managed by INFOCERT on behalf of AFNOR. By granting this certification, this accredited organization allows cash register and payment systems editors to offer merchants and restaurant owners solutions that guarantee data reliability and integrity.
The second option isthe individual certificate issued by the software publisher, prepared according to a template established by the government. The 2025 Finance Act had called for its elimination, but the 2026 Finance Act (Article 125) reinstated it effective February 21, 2026. Both forms of documentation are therefore valid once again.
While this “self-certification” is perfectly legal, restaurant owners who use the point-of-sale software have less protection in the event of an audit: the software provider alone makes the commitment, without an audit by an independent body.
The NF525 certification aims to prove that your cash register system meets the following conditions:
These 4 conditions are intended to prevent the modification or deletion of data, a maneuver put in place to reduce the taxation applied to the restaurant.
Beyond the legal obligation, this certification is also a plus for the daily management of your activity since it will considerably facilitate the follow-up and analysis of orders. It is also a competitive advantage and strengthens the confidence of your customers.
The NF525 certificate takes the form of an A4 document and includes the following information:
In the event of an audit, this is the document that will be required. You can find it online or your publisher will send it to you upon request.
To find out whether a software publisher is certified or not, simply visit the NF525 website and search for the product or publisher name. After that, there’s no room for doubt!
In the event of an audit, your obligation as a restaurant owner is to provide the General Directorate of Public Finance (DGFiP) with either the certificate issued by an accredited body (Infocert/AFNOR for NF525, or the LNE) or the individual attestation from your software provider. If you are unable to do so, the fine is 7,500 euros per software program or point-of-sale system.
You then have 60 days to come into compliance. If, during a subsequent audit, you are still not in compliance, the fine may be imposed again (BOFiP, BOI-CF-COM-20-60).
Please note that within 30 days of receiving the inspection report, restaurant owners may submit comments and provide any missing certificates or documentation. If these supporting documents are provided within this time frame, the fine will not be imposed.
Finally, the submission of a false certificate is a crime punishable by 3 years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros.
The Innovorder touchscreen cash register, of course!
The cash register that we offer is certified NF525.
The proof is right here: our certificate!
Spoiler Alert: Our payment processing system not only complies with current regulations, but—more importantly—it’s integrated with all the solutions we offer!
Thanks to its touch screen, our cash register is both intuitive and scalable and will allow you to manage your omnichannel sales with ease so that you can focus on the essential: customer satisfaction.
👉 To go further: discover Charlene's testimonial, BCHEF franchisee.
At Innovorder, we consider the cash register to be the conductor of your restaurant. That's why it's so important to choose it carefully!
The one that we put at your disposal allows you to :
Our cash register is also a great management tool because it facilitates the analysis of your data and allows you to make accurate reports of your activity to make the right decisions.
👉 Learn more: Guide: Which cash register should you choose for your restaurant?
You may still read online that certification by an accredited body will become mandatory as of September 1, 2026: this is no longer the case. Here is a timeline of events.
What you need to do today: Ask your publisher for their certificate or attestation, verify that it covers the version of the software you are using, and keep it in a folder where it can be easily produced in the event of an audit.
👉 Learn more: How to tell if your cash register meets the standards, and NF525 or LNE: Which certification is right for your cash register?
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Do you want to equip your restaurant with the best digital solutions on the market? Contact an Innovorder expert and receive customized advice for your establishment.
