What it means
This rule checks that cac:PaymentTerms contains no cbc:ReferenceEventCode element. It does not check the due date (BT-9) or how your software calculates it.
Why it matters
EN 16931 does not use a structured reference event code within UBL payment terms. Payment conditions can instead be described in the payment terms text (BT-20).
How to fix it
Remove cbc:ReferenceEventCode from cac:PaymentTerms in the XML export. If the payment period's starting point needs explaining, state it in cbc:Note (BT-20). Do not remove the date calculation from your software just to omit this code. Recheck the file.
Once the file is corrected, check it again for free: Validate an invoice against EN 16931
Or fix the invoice in a form and download the corrected file, for 1 credit: Fix a rejected e-invoice
The rule as published
A UBL invoice should not include the PaymentTerms ReferenceEventCode Where this rule applies
| Rule set | Version |
|---|---|
| EN 16931 (UBL) | 1.3.17 |
| EN 16931 (UBL credit note) | 1.3.17 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (UBL) | 3.0.2 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (UBL credit note) | 3.0.2 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (invoice) | 2026.5 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (credit note) | 2026.5 |
| SI-UBL 2.0 / NLCIUS (invoice) | 2.0.3.13 |
| SI-UBL 2.0 / NLCIUS (credit note) | 2.0.3.13 |
| France CTC (UBL invoice) | 1.4.0-04 |
| France CTC (UBL credit note) | 1.4.0-04 |
| CIUS-RO UBL Invoice 1.0.9 | 1.0.9 |
| CIUS-RO UBL Credit Note 1.0.9 | 1.0.9 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether UBL-CR-455 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- UBL-CR-456 Payment terms must not carry an early-payment discount percentage
- UBL-CR-457 Payment terms must not carry a late-payment penalty percentage
- UBL-CR-458 Payment terms must not carry a payment percentage
- UBL-CR-459 Payment terms must not carry an amount
- UBL-CR-460 Payment terms must not carry an early-payment discount amount
- UBL-CR-461 Payment terms must not carry a late-payment penalty amount