CII-SR-345: Leave out the invoice issuer reference

What it means

The settlement section (ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement) should not contain an InvoiceIssuerReference, a reference given by the party that issues the invoice.

Why it matters

This is a warning, so the file is still accepted. EN 16931 has no field for it, so receiving software normally ignores it. If the buyer needs that reference to find the order or contract, it is lost.

How to fix it

Remove the reference from the settlement section. If it is an order or contract number the buyer needs, enter it in the purchase order number (BT-13) or the contract reference (BT-12) in your invoicing software. The invoice number itself goes in the invoice number field (BT-1). Fix it when the buyer uses the reference to match the invoice.

The rule as published

InvoiceIssuerReference should not be present

Where this rule applies