What it means
When a number is marked with scheme 0088, it must be a valid GLN (Global Location Number). The test checks that the value contains digits only and that its last digit is the correct GS1 check digit for the digits before it. A GLN normally has 13 digits. The check applies wherever the scheme is used: in the electronic address (BT-34 or BT-49), in a party identifier (such as BT-29 or BT-46) and in a company registration number (such as BT-30 or BT-47).
Why it matters
Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 requires values marked with scheme 0088 to pass its GLN format and check digit test.
How to fix it
Copy the GLN again from your GS1 certificate or GS1 account, and look for a mistyped or missing digit, or a letter or space inside the number. If the number is not a GLN at all, change the scheme to the one that fits the number you hold. If you build the XML yourself, the scheme is the schemeID attribute on cbc:EndpointID, on cbc:ID inside cac:PartyIdentification, or on cbc:CompanyID.
Once the file is corrected, check it again for free: Validate a Peppol BIS invoice
Or fix the invoice in a form and download the corrected file, for 1 credit: Fix a rejected e-invoice
The rule as published
Read the rule on the publisher's site
Where this rule applies
| Rule set | Version |
|---|---|
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (invoice) | 2026.5 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (credit note) | 2026.5 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether PEPPOL-COMMON-R040 still fails, and which other rules do.
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- PEPPOL-COMMON-R044 An Italian IPA code must be in the correct format
- PEPPOL-COMMON-R045 An Italian tax number (Codice Fiscale) must be in the correct format
- PEPPOL-COMMON-R046 An Italian tax number in an electronic address must be valid