What is EN 16931?
Effective: 2019-10-28 · Authority: CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
EN 16931 is the European standard defining the semantic data model for electronic invoices. Published by CEN (European Committee for Standardization), it specifies the minimum required data elements for a compliant e-invoice and supports two XML syntax bindings: UBL 2.1 and UN/CEFACT CII. Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 and Factur-X EN 16931 profile both conform to this standard.
What does EN 16931 cover?
EN 16931 defines the semantic data model: the meaning of each data element in an e-invoice, not the technical syntax. It specifies 38 mandatory elements and defines the allowed code lists. The actual technical implementation (XML schema) is delegated to two syntax bindings: UBL 2.1 and CII.
What are the EN 16931 syntax bindings?
EN 16931 supports two XML syntax bindings. Both express the same semantic data model in different XML schemas:
- UBL 2.1 (ISO/IEC 19845): Used by Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 and EU public procurement implementations.
- UN/CEFACT CII D16B: Used by Factur-X (France) and ZUGFeRD (Germany).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is EN 16931 mandatory for all e-invoices?
- EN 16931 is mandatory for e-invoices in EU public procurement under Directive 2014/55/EU. For private sector B2B, it is the reference standard but national mandates may specify different profiles (e.g., France specifies Factur-X profiles, not directly EN 16931).
- What is the difference between EN 16931 and Peppol BIS Billing?
- EN 16931 is the European semantic standard. Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 is a CIUS (implementation specification) of EN 16931 using UBL 2.1 syntax and adding additional Peppol-specific rules. BIS Billing is EN 16931 compliant but more constrained.
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