EN 16931 Update Sets Stage for ViDA-Driven B2B E‑Invoicing by 2030

On the 13th February 2026, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN/TC 434) approved key updates to EN 16931‑1, the EU semantic invoice standard. This move accelerates Europe’s preparation for the ViDA reforms, which will require structured, cross-border B2B e‑invoicing and near real-time reporting by 2030.

What’s new:

• B2B-ready semantic model: The updated standard accounts for the complexity of B2B transactions, including multiple orders per invoice, corrections, early or late payment adjustments, and sector-specific schemes.
• Critical data enhancements: New fields or clarifications include IBAN details, triangulation indicators, corrective invoice sequencing, foreign currency handling, XML attachments, and broader treatment of exempt supplies and special VAT schemes.
• Syntax and interoperability: UBL and UN/CEFACT CII remain the main “rails,” with clear rules on mandatory, optional, and conditional fields. Controlled extensions allow national or industry-specific additions without breaking cross-border compatibility.

 Why it matters:

• Multinationals and software providers can now build on a stable EU core, rather than creating country-by-country bespoke formats.
• Networks like Peppol BIS Billing will see the impact immediately, as interoperable, provider-mediated delivery models gain traction.

In short, this is more than a standards refresh - it signals a shift from exchanging invoices as documents to sharing structured, reusable compliance data, and businesses will need sustainable processes for mapping, validation, and governance across sectors and borders.

Source: https://rtcsuite.com/en-16931-goes-vida-ready-what-cens-2026-approval-changes-for-eu-e-invoicing/