PD CEN/TR 16931-4:2017

What is PD CEN/TR 16931-4 - E-invoicing interoperability bout?  

The mass adoption of e-invoicing within the EU would lead to significant economic benefits. PD CEN/TS 16931 is a series that discusses standards for electronic invoicing (e-invoicing). PD CEN/TS 16931‑2 is a part of multi-series electronic invoicing that recommends a set of guidelines to ensure interoperability at the transmission level to be used in conjunction with the European Norm (EN) for the semantic data model of the core elements of an electronic invoice and its other associated deliverables.  

With PD CEN/TR 16931-4, Guidelines take into account the following aspects: 

• Supporting interoperability between all the parties and systems that need to interact and within the various operating models in common use 
• Ensuring a level playing field for the various operating models and bi-lateral implementations and for the use of existing and future infrastructures, which support e-Invoicing 
• Promoting a common terminology and non-proprietary standards for transmission and related areas 
• Ensuring the authenticity of origin and integrity of electronic invoice content 
• Providing guidance on data protection, on the enablement of format conversion, and on e-invoice legibility, including the use of readable visual presentations, as required 
• Providing guidance for identification, addressing and routing 
• Identifying requirements for robust legal frameworks and governance arrangements 
• Recognizing the roles of trading parties, solution and service providers and related infrastructure providers 

Who is PD CEN/TR 16931-4 - E-invoicing interoperability for? 

PD CEN/TR 16931-4  on e-invoicing interoperability is useful for: 

• E-invoice suppliers  
• Organizations in the private and the public sector for public procurement invoicing  
• E-invoice contracting authorities/entities
• Procurement industry 
• Legal and compliance industry  
• Trade officials 

Why should you use PD CEN/TR 16931-4 - E-invoicing interoperability?  

The guidelines for interoperability at the transmission level guide all stakeholders who make use of e-Invoicing. They are addressed to trading parties, service and software providers in relation to the transmission methods or network solutions they use or support to encourage the adoption and further development of good practices, recommendations and standards for the transmission level. Guidelines in BS EN 16931-4 are to support the implementation of the EU Directive 2014/55/EU on e-Invoicing and the core invoice model. 

BS EN 16931-4 provides you with best practices and recommendations for standards to enable the electronic exchange of e-Invoices and related data between participants by providing a basis for interoperability at the transmission level, based on common requirements and scenarios. 

BS EN 16931-4 facilitate Straight Through Processing by the key actors in the supply chain (Buyers, Sellers, Tax Authorities, Agents, Banks, Service and Solution Providers, etc.). 

Compliance with PD CEN/TS 16931‑4, ensure interoperability of electronic invoices, thereby contributing to the removal of trade barriers. This will help you expand business operations to newer markets.