Guide
Markdown exportUBL (Universal Business Language): 2.1, Peppol, XRechnung
UBL is an OASIS XML standard for invoices, orders, credit notes, and other structured business documents.
What is UBL?
UBL (Universal Business Language) is an OASIS XML standard. It defines schemas for invoices, credit notes, orders, and despatch advice. A profile such as Peppol BIS selects a UBL version and adds business rules.
Peppol Standard
Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 uses the UBL 2.1 Invoice and CreditNote syntaxes. Other UBL versions or profiles are not interchangeable without validation.
Interactive family tree
One model, two syntaxes, many rule sets
EN 16931 defines what invoice data means. UBL and CII write it down. CIUS and profiles add rules on top. Tap a box for details.
UBL 2.1
OASIS
- What it is
- Universal Business Language 2.1 from OASIS, with Invoice and CreditNote documents. CEN/TS 16931-3-2 maps every business term to a UBL element.
- Who uses it
- The Peppol network, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. XRechnung can use it too.
- Syntax
- XML, document-oriented.
Key Features
- OASIS-standardized XML schemas
- Versioned document structures
- Invoice and CreditNote syntaxes
- Order and DespatchAdvice syntaxes
- Code lists selected by the target profile
- Validation against profile rules
Advantages of UBL
OASIS Standard
International recognition and governance by OASIS
Modularity
Reusable components and flexible structure
Peppol Compatibility
Base syntax for Peppol BIS Billing 3.0; profile rules still apply
Document types
Schemas for procurement, invoicing, and transport processes
UBL Document Types
Invoice (UBL 2.1/2.3)
Standard invoice for goods delivery and services Application: Main document for e-invoicing
Credit Note (UBL 2.1/2.3)
Credit notes and invoice corrections Application: Cancellations and refunds
Order (UBL 2.1/2.3)
Electronic orders Application: Procurement and e-commerce
Despatch Advice (UBL 2.1/2.3)
Shipping notifications Application: Logistics and supply chains
Receipt Advice (UBL 2.1/2.3)
Receipt confirmations Application: Goods receipt processes
UBL Versions
UBL 2.4 (2024-06-20)
CurrentImprovements: Two new document types and schema updates
UBL 2.3 (2021)
PreviousImprovements: Ten new transport-related document types
UBL 2.2 (2018)
PreviousImprovements: Additional procurement, transport, directory, and agreement documents
UBL 2.1 (2013)
PreviousImprovements: Syntax version used by Peppol BIS Billing 3.0
UBL 2.0 (2006)
PreviousImprovements: Earlier UBL 2.x release; use the version required by the target profile
UBL Implementation
- Download and integrate UBL 2.x schemas
- Perform business process mapping
- Implement code lists
- Set up validation engine
- Apply the selected Peppol BIS rules and validate the file
- Execute test scenarios
Technical Specifications
Schema Language (XML Schema Definition (XSD))
W3C-compliant schema definition
Namespace (urn:oasis:names:specification:ubl:schema:xsd)
Unique OASIS namespace identification
Code Lists (ISO, UN/ECE, OASIS)
Standardized value lists for consistency
Data Types (ISO 15000-5 (ebXML CCTS))
Core Component Technical Specification
UBL Schema Info
| Current Version | Documents | OASIS Status |
|---|---|---|
| UBL 2.4 | 70+ | Approved |