<link rel="stylesheet" href="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/searchElement.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/faq.css">
<script src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/hardcoded-faq.js"></script>
<script src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/searchElement.js"></script>
<section class="section" id="faq-search-section">
<div class="container">
<div class="cols">
<div class="col-12">
<div class="search-container">
<p>Search the eInvoicing FAQ</p>
<div class="input-wrapper">
<img src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-magnifying-glass-accent-blue.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="false">
<label for="faq-search" class="visually-hidden">Search FAQ</label>
<input type="text" id="faq-search" class="faq-search"
placeholder="Type to start searching the FAQ" aria-label="Search FAQ"
title="Type to start searching the FAQ" />
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<section class="section">
<div class="container">
<div class="cols">
<div class="col-9 main-wrapper-section">
<div class="faq-widget" data-widget-id="demo-widget" data-filter-curated=""
data-sidebar-id="faq-sidebar-nav" data-filter-categories="" data-widget-id="faq-widget-0">
<div class="faq-notification-container" style="display: none;"></div>
<div class="faq-loading-spinner loader-wrapper" style="display: none;">
<div class="load"></div>
</div>
<div id="819857855" class="category-block">
<h3 class="category-title">Conformance testing</h3>
<div class="accordion">
<div id="819857866" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857866" role="button">
<p>Is there a tool to assess the conformancy of my eInvoicing solution?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857866" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857866">
<p>DIGITAL eInvoicing offers a test infrastructure that allows solution & service
providers and public entities to check the compliance of their eInvoicing
solution against the standard in a specific <a
href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/Required+syntaxes">syntax</a>:
UBL 2.1 or UN/CEFACT CII.</p>
<p>DIGITAL eInvoicing provides a ready to use testing platform, and supports the
users of the DIGITAL eInvoicing Conformance Testing service during the entire
testing process.</p>
<p>For more information, check here: <a
href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/eInvoicing+Conformance+Testing">eInvoicing
Conformance Testing</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857870" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857870" role="button">
<p>Are there test invoices available?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857870" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857870">
<p>Yes, you can use the conformance testing service described on the DIGITAL Digital
site on <a
href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/eInvoicing+Conformance+Testing">eInvoicing
Conformance Testing</a></p>
<p>If you want, the DIGITAL eInvoicing support can forward you the example invoices
by mail or use invoice examples from other sites:</p>
<p>
<ul>
<li>CEN/TC434 is using the Github service for maintenance and publication of
validation rules and some other resources. On the first page you will also
find links to the OASIS UBL and UN/CEFACT Cross industry invoice standards:
<a href="https://github.com/CenPC434/validation"
target="_blank">https://github.com/CenPC434/validation</a> Under the
folders UBL/examples and CII/instances you will find sample files.
</li>
<li>Also the syntax binding specifications have sample xml as annexes.</li>
<li>Another resource which can be used is sample files developed by the Swedish
standardisation organisation Single Face To Industry. Even if some
documentation is in Swedish, the sample files could still be of interest. <a
href="http://sfti.se/download/18.384f86211668d140b354a504/1540376570234/Arkiv_BIS_Billing_30_Exempelsamling_2018-10-17.zip">http://sfti.se/download/18.384f86211668d140b354a504/1540376570234/Arkiv_BIS_Billing_30_Exempelsamling_2018-10-17.zip</a>
</li>
</ul>
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857858" class="category-block">
<h3 class="category-title">EN-Technical</h3>
<div class="accordion">
<div id="819857888" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857888" role="button">
<p>What are the exact file extensions for the following formats (EU-UN / CEFACT XML
and OASIS UBL 2.1)?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857888" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857888">
<p>The standard does not prescribe rules for file extensions. The most common file
extension is however *.xml. There is no naming convention for filenames which
can be used to identify the type of format.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857862" class="category-block">
<h3 class="category-title">EN-Legal</h3>
<div class="accordion">
<div id="819857894" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857894" role="button">
<p>What is the European legislation on eInvoicing?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857894" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857894">
<p>The European Parliament and Council voted on the 16th of April 2014 <a
href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32014L0055"
target="_blank">Directive 2014/55/EU</a> on electronic invoicing in public
procurement. This Directive called for the definition of a common European
standard on eInvoicing at semantic level, and additional standardisation
deliverables which currently enhance interoperability at the syntax level.</p>
<p>Check here for more information: <a
href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/European+legislation+on+eInvoicing">European
legislation on eInvoicing</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857895" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857895" role="button">
<p>Where can I get a copy of the European standard on electronic invoicing?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857895" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857895">
<p>The European standard on eInvoicing (EN 16931) is developed and published by the
European Committee for Standardization (CEN), by request from the European
Commission. The copyrights of the European standard are owned by CEN and copies
of the standard are sold through its member organisations.</p>
<p>Information on sales points to purchase a copy of the European standard can be
found on the CEN website. (N.B: the link points to sales points for part 1 of
the European standard but other parts can be purchased through the same sale
points).</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857896" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857896" role="button">
<p>What are the deadlines for eInvoicing obligatoriness in Europe by country?</p>
<img src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857896" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857896">
<p>The deadline for contracting authorities and entities to comply with Directive
2014/55/EU and to receive and process electronic invoices according to the EN
was 18 April 2019.</p>
<p>This deadline can be extended for sub-central contracting authorities and
entities until 18 April 2020.
Check also here for key eInvoicing dates and events: <a
href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/eInvoicing+Regulatory+timeline">eInvoicing
Regulatory timeline</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857901" class="category-block">
<h3 class="category-title">Code lists</h3>
<div class="accordion">
<div id="819857905" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857905" role="button">
<p>Is there a specific format for the BT-133 code?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857905" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857905">
<p>There are no formal guidelines on how the information should be provided for the
BT-133 code. It could be a simple identifier that the buyer can use for
identifying the correct accounting dimensions, or the actual accounting
dimension string itself. There is no recommendations on how such a string should
be formatted.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857903" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857903" role="button">
<p>Can you give me more explanations on the BT-89 code?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857903" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857903">
<p>BT-89 is the code for 'Mandate reference identifier'. It is intended for
facilitating SEPA direct debit. Typically the seller indicates the mandate
reference to the buyer so that the buyer is aware from where the payment is
drawn. The elements specifically supports SEPA direct debit but can possibly
also be used for domestic direct debit system.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857903a" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857903a" role="button">
<p>It might be difficult to list all cases of VAT exemption at national level. We
are therefore asking for the creation of an "other" or "national exemption"
category to allow us to integrate all national exemptions. In the mean time, we
are initiating a request to the tax authorities to list some national exemption
categories.</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857903a" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857903a">
<p>There are no formal guidelines on how the information should be provided for the
BT-133 code. It could be a simple identifier that the buyer can use for
identifying the correct accounting dimensions, or the actual accounting
dimension string itself. There is no recommendations on how such a string should
be formatted.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857903b" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857903b" role="button">
<p>Is it free to register new codes in the code list for ISO/IEC 6523?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857903b" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857903b">
<p>The use of the tax exemption reason code is not mandatory so there may not be a
reason to create a "catch all" code. Instead the code element can be left empty
and the exemption described in the VAT exemption reasons text element. When
codes are available they can be added to a later version of the code list.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857909" class="category-block">
<h3 class="category-title">Others</h3>
<div class="accordion">
<div id="819857919" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857919" role="button">
<p>What is eInvoicing and who is it for?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857919" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857919">
<p>Electronic invoicing is the exchange of an electronic invoice document between a
supplier and a buyer. An electronic invoice (eInvoice) is an invoice that has
been issued, transmitted and received in a structured data format which allows
for its automatic and electronic processing, as defined in Directive 2014/55/EU.
</p>
<p>The DIGITAL eInvoicing building block aims at promoting the uptake and
accelerating the use of eInvoicing in respect of the European standard, amongst
both public and private entities established in the EU, as well as in
participating EEA countries.</p>
<p>The DIGITAL eInvoicing building block serves to support public administrations in
complying with EU eInvoicing legislation, and helps service & solution providers
adapt their services accordingly. The eInvoicing building block therefore
foresees Business to Government (B2G). However, eInvoicing can also be used to
enable Government to Government communication (G2G).</p>
<p>Business to Business (B2B) and Government to Citizen (G2C) or Business to
Consumer (B2C) are not addressed in the context of the eInvoicing building
block.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857917" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857917" role="button">
<p>What are the benefits of eInvoicing?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857917" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857917">
<p>Mass adoption of electronic invoicing within the EU leads to significant economic
benefits and an increase in European business competitiveness. Supported by
European legislation, acceptance of eInvoices by governments makes it easier to
do business with the public sector.</p>
<p>More information and details on benefits are available here: <a
href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/What+are+the+benefits+of+eInvoicing">What
are the benefits of eInvoicing</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857921" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title" aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="content-819857921" role="button">
<p>How can I get help for my eInvoicing project?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857921" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857921">
<p>The eInvoicing building block has developed several channels for eInvoicing users
to get help:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/EINVCOMMUNITY/eInvoicing+User+Community"
target="_blank">eInvoicing user community</a> where all eInvoicing
stakeholders can discuss eInvoicing in the EU public and private sectors.
</li>
<li><a
href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/eInvoicing+Service+Desk">eInvoicing
Service Desk</a></li>
<li><a
href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/eInvoicing+Conformance+Testing">eInvoicing
Conformance testing</a></li>
<li><a
href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/Registry+of+supporting+artefacts+to+implement+EN16931">Registry
of supporting artefacts</a></li>
</ul>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857917a" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title"
aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="content-819857917a" role="button">
<p>We are currently implementing a PDF/OCR export solution for our invoices. Can
this fit with the 2014/55 directive for EASA and the “Guidance for EU public
administrations” (March 2016)? Can a PDF/OCR export solution fit with the
2014/55 directive for EASA and the “Guidance for EU public administrations”
(March 2016)?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857917a" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857917a">
<p>The directive explicitly says that public entities must be able to receive
and process electronic invoices structured in any (to be understood as both)
of the syntaxes defined by CEN/TC434. The syntaxes are OASIS Universal
Business Language and UN/CEFACT Cross Industry Invoice. The directive also
defines an electronic invoice as an invoice that has been issued,
transmitted and received in a structured electronic format which allows for
its automatic and electronic processing.</p>
<p>So even if this directive doesn’t forbid public entities from using
PDF-invoices through email, they should as a minimum support structured
electronic invoicing in line with the European Standard.</p>
<p><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32014L0055"
target="_blank">The Directive 2014/55/EU</a> gives the possibility to
the suppliers to send their invoices in one way to all public customers as
long as they comply with the European Standard. There are many services
available which can provide this functionality also for small public
entities with low volumes of invoices.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857917b" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title"
aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="content-819857917b" role="button">
<p>Is the NetworkID a mandatory element in UBL?</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857917b" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857917b">
<p>The NetworkID is a mandatory element in UBL but the syntax mapping
specification doesn’t give much guidance on how to handle a situation where
a value for this element isn’t available when creating the instance. As far
as we have gathered from our contacts with editors of the specification, a
way forward is to add the value “Not applicable” or “NA” in lack of other
information.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="819857917c" class="qa-item"><button class="accordion-title"
aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="content-819857917c" role="button">
<p>What exactly does it mean to “process an electronic invoice” (storage, filing, extraction)</p><img
src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/879493538/ico-arrow-down-primary.svg"
alt="" aria-hidden="true">
</button>
<div id="content-819857917c" class="accordion-content" role="region"
aria-labelledby="819857917c">
<p>Here are some extracts from the EU-directive which maybe can give food for thought:</p>
<p>From the preamble:</p>
<p>The benefits of electronic invoicing are maximised when the generation, sending, transmission, reception and processing of an invoice can be fully automated. For this reason, only machine-readable invoices which can be processed automatically and digitally by the recipient should be considered to be compliant with the European standard on electronic invoicing.</p>
<p>From the defintions: ‘electronic invoice’ means an invoice that has been issued, transmitted and received in a structured electronic format which allows for its automatic and electronic processing;
I can also give a few different examples of electronic processing of an invoice:</p>
<p><ul>
<li>The received invoice has an order reference and the receiving system automatically verifies that the invoice is correct based on an electronic order. If the invoice corresponds to the order and what has been delivered, then it automatically gets approved</li>
<li>The received invoice has a reference to the person who did the purchase. The receiving system automatically forwards the invoice to that person who are to assess if the invoice is correct.</li>
<li>The received invoice is presented to a person in an administrative role who manually forwards it to the person/department for where the purchase originated.</li>
<p>It can’t be said if printing a received invoice and to process the paper-copy can be considered to be in line with the directive but I don’t think it is the long term intention.</p>
</ul></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-3 side-wrapper-section" id="faq-sidebar-nav">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section> |