Managing cash receipts is an essential part of running your restaurant smoothly. Since 2018, regulations have required restaurant owners to use compliant software or a compliant point-of-sale system to combat VAT fraud and ensure tax transparency. But how do you choose the right certification for your cash register? You have two main options: the NF525 standard and LNE certification. In this article, we explain why certification is essential and compare these two standards to help you make the right choice.
Did you know that, as of January 1, 2018, it is mandatory to use compliant software or a compliant point-of-sale system to combat VAT fraud? This requirement is part of the 2016 Finance Act (Article 88 of Law No. 2015-1785) and requires merchants, such as yourself, to use a solution that ensures the integrity, security, retention, and archiving of point-of-sale data.
The goal? To prevent the concealment of revenue and ensure complete transparency with the tax authorities. To comply with the law, you have two major certification options: the NF525 standard and LNE certification. But which one should you choose for your establishment? Let’s take a closer look. First and foremost, it’s important to have a solid understanding of the VAT rates applicable to the restaurant industry, as these certifications are specifically designed to ensure their proper management.
Failure to use a certified cash register exposes you to severe penalties. In the event of a tax audit, if your point-of-sale system is not compliant, you risk a fine of €7,500 per uncertified software program or system, along with a requirement to achieve compliance within 60 days. Beyond the fine, a lack of certification can lead to tax adjustments and create a certain level of mistrust among customers and partners. Certification is therefore a guarantee of security and compliance, both for you and your customers.
New for 2025–2026: the end of self-certification. As of September 1, 2025, an individual certificate issued by the software publisher itself is no longer sufficient. The 2025 Finance Act (Article 43) now requires that your software be certified by an external accredited body: Infocert/AFNOR for the NF525 standard, or the LNE. Here is the schedule to keep in mind:
If you accept payments in cash or by credit card, this applies to you. Whether you run a fine-dining restaurant, a brasserie, a company cafeteria, a fast-food restaurant, or a food truck, your business falls under the scope of the law. This applies even if you use POS software on an iPad: certification remains mandatory regardless of the hardware format you choose.
👉 Why is cash register certification essential?
The NF525 certification is issued by AFNOR to point-of-sale software vendors and certifies that their software meets the following criteria:
NF525-certified point-of-sale software or systems display the NF525 logo, and the manufacturer must be able to provide a certificate of authenticity or an individual certification. This document will serve as proof in the event of a tax audit. Be sure to request it from your supplier.
Your software must meet AFNOR requirements. Cash register vendors must have their systems certified by Infocert, a certification body accredited by AFNOR. This certification involves a fee, the cost of which varies by vendor, and includes regular audits to verify ongoing compliance. As of September 1, 2025, this third-party certification is mandatory: a simple attestation from the software publisher is no longer accepted.
👉 To find out more : NF525 in 5 easy steps
At Innovorder, we are committed to ensuring that our customers are fully compliant with current regulations. All of our cash registers are NF525-certified, ensuring that data remains unalterable, secure, and properly stored and archived in accordance with legal requirements. By choosing an Innovorder cash register, you benefit from a reliable, industry-recognized solution that complies with tax obligations, allowing you to conduct your business with peace of mind and without the risk of penalties.
👉 F ind out more: Innovorder NF525-certified checkouts
Innovorder is officially NF525-certified.
Our software meets tax requirements regarding the integrity, security, retention, and archiving of point-of-sale data.
👉 Download NF525 certificate of conformity
LNE (National Metrology and Testing Laboratory) certification is based on the same principles as NF525. It ensures that cash registers comply with tax requirements.
As with NF525, your supplier must provide you with an individual certificate stating key details, such as the date of issuance, the certificate number, and compliance with legal requirements. Systems certified by the LNE bear a distinctive mark.
Your supplier is responsible for obtaining this certification. It involves a technical and administrative audit , and the cost varies.
👉 See also: Why Is Adopting a Touchscreen POS System Crucial for Your Restaurant?
NF525 and LNE certifications meet the same legal requirements, and guarantee that cash register software complies with tax regulations. However, there are a few differences between these two approaches. Here's a comparison to help you make the right choice.
While the two certifications are legally equivalent, there is a difference in scope that you should be aware of: the LNE standard focuses primarily on the system’s technical criteria, whereas NF525 has a broader scope and also evaluates the organizational and quality aspects of the software development process at the vendor (ISO 9001 compliance, etc.). For a restaurant owner, what matters most is that your supplier be able to present you with one of these official certificates by September 1, 2026.
The key takeaway from this article is that you should never take any unnecessary risks with the tax authorities. Make sure your cash register is properly NF525 or LNE certified to avoid any penalties and ensure transparent management of your transactions. So always remember to request an individual certificate from your supplier and stay up to date on regulatory changes. Above all, a certified cash register gives you peace of mind so you can focus on what matters most: providing the best possible experience for your customers.
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Continue the discussion with one of our experts and learn all the details of the NF525 standard!
