What it means
The check looks at the seller's order reference (ram:SellerOrderReferencedDocument) in the agreement part of the invoice header and fails if it carries a line number (ram:LineID). EN 16931 uses this reference only for the order number itself, the sales order reference (BT-14).
Why it matters
This is a warning, so the invoice is still accepted. A recipient that follows the standard reads the order number and ignores the line number, so any link to a single order line is lost. It is worth fixing if the buyer needs that link, because they will not get it from this field.
How to fix it
Take the line number out of the sales order reference in your invoicing software, leaving only the order number. In the XML, delete ram:LineID inside ram:SellerOrderReferencedDocument and keep ram:IssuerAssignedID. The format only ties individual invoice lines to an order line for the buyer's purchase order, using the purchase order line reference (BT-132) on the line.
The rule as published
LineID should not be present Where this rule applies
| Rule set | Version |
|---|---|
| EN 16931 (CII) | 1.3.17 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (CII) | 3.0.2 |
| NLCIUS (CII) | 1.0.3.13 |
| France CTC (CII) | 1.4.0-04 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether CII-SR-294 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- CII-SR-295 Order line numbers belong on the invoice line, not the header
- CII-SR-296 Do not add a quotation reference
- CII-SR-297 Do not add an order response reference
- CII-SR-298 Do not give a line number for the contract reference
- CII-SR-299 Do not add a demand forecast reference
- CII-SR-300 Do not add a supply instruction reference