UBL-CR-082: Leave the document type code out of the tender or lot reference

What it means

The tender or lot reference (BT-17) sits in cac:OriginatorDocumentReference, and EN 16931 uses only its identifier (cbc:ID). This rule checks that the reference has no cbc:DocumentTypeCode, a code that says what kind of document is being referred to. An empty element still counts as present.

Why it matters

This is a warning, so the file is still accepted. The standard has no field for a document type code in this place, so the recipient's software cannot map it and usually skips it. Remove it when you can, so the file matches the standard exactly and does not raise a warning in stricter checks.

How to fix it

In your invoicing software, find the tender or lot reference and clear any document type or type code stored with it. Keep the reference number itself. If the code comes back on every export, check for a software update or ask the supplier. If you build the XML yourself, remove cbc:DocumentTypeCode from cac:OriginatorDocumentReference.

The rule as published

A UBL invoice should not include the OriginatorDocumentReference DocumentTypeCode

Where this rule applies