What it means
The check searches the whole file for a lowercase uri attribute. In UBL it can occur on a binary object, such as an embedded attachment (BT-125), to identify a location for the binary data. This rule flags the attribute wherever it occurs. It does not prohibit the separate external document link (BT-124).
Why it matters
EN 16931 asks you to omit uri attributes from UBL invoices and credit notes.
How to fix it
Remove the uri attribute from every element that has it, or ask the supplier of your invoicing software to stop writing it. On embedded attachments, keep the mimeCode and filename attributes, which are required. If you want to point to a document online instead, use the external document link (BT-124) and not this attribute. Export again and 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
Uri attribute should not be present 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-DT-23 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- UBL-DT-24 Leave out the currencyCodeListVersionID attribute
- UBL-DT-25 Leave the characterSetCode attribute out of the invoice
- UBL-DT-26 Leave the encodingCode attribute out of the invoice
- UBL-DT-27 Leave the schemeAgencyID attribute out of the invoice
- UBL-DT-28 Leave the listAgencyID attribute out of the invoice
- UBL-DT-22 Leave out the languageLocaleID attribute