Skip to main content
This section clarifies terms as they are defined or used in relevant laws and official technical standards. It serves as a reference for understanding the legal and compliance context that governs invoicing, reporting, and certification requirements.

Global

Access PointEntry point for connecting to electronic document networks such as Peppol
B2BBusiness-to-Business transactions
B2CBusiness-to-Consumer transactions
B2GBusiness-to-Government transactions
BIS (Peppol)Business Interoperability Specifications (see Peppol)
Centralized ModelE-invoicing model where invoices are routed through a central hub or platform
CIUSCustom Invoice Specification that extends the CORE standard while maintaining compliance
CII (UN/CEFACT)Cross Industry Invoice format (see UN/CEFACT CII)
Clearance ModelRegulatory architecture where invoices must be validated and approved by tax authorities before becoming legally valid (also known as CTC)
ComplianceAdherence to legal and regulatory requirements
COREEuropean invoice standard base specification that defines the semantic data model for electronic invoices
CorrectionProcess of fixing errors in previously issued documents
Credit NoteA document issued to correct or cancel a previously issued invoice
CTCContinuous Transaction Control, a clearance model where transactions are validated in real time
Debit NoteA document issued to increase the amount owed from a previous invoice
Digital SignatureCryptographic signature ensuring document authenticity and integrity
E-invoicingElectronic invoicing process using structured data formats
E-reportingReal-time reporting to the tax authority
EN 16931European standard that defines the semantic data model for electronic invoices, ensuring interoperability across EU countries (see EN 16931-1:2017 Addon)
Five-corner ModelE-invoicing model that integrates e-invoicing with e-reporting, involving supplier, buyer, their platforms, and the tax authority
FiscalizationSoftware and hardware requirements implemented to avoid fraud in the retail sector
Hybrid ModelE-invoicing model combining multiple approaches, such as PDF with embedded XML
IntegrationConnection between different systems or services
MigrationProcess of moving from one system or standard to another
OnboardingProcess of registering and setting up new suppliers or customers
ParticipantEntity registered to send/receive documents through electronic networks (see Peppol)
Proof of OwnershipDocumentation verifying legal entity ownership
QR CodeQuick Response code containing document verification information
RegistrationProcess of enrolling entities in electronic document systems
RTIRReal-Time Invoice Reporting model, where invoices are reported to tax authorities in real time
SandboxTesting environment for development and integration
Schema ValidationProcess of checking document structure against defined rules
Tax AuthorityGovernment agency responsible for tax collection and compliance
Tax RegimeThe jurisdiction’s tax rules and regulations applied to documents
UBLUniversal Business Language, OASIS standard for electronic documents (see OASIS UBL)
Validation ErrorIssue identified during document structure or content verification
White-labelService offered under another company’s brand

Belgium

BOSABelgian Peppol Authority, the organization managing Peppol registration in Belgium

Brazil

NF-eNota Fiscal Eletrônica, Brazilian electronic invoice for B2B and B2G sales of goods
NFC-eNota Fiscal de Consumidor Eletrônica, Brazilian electronic invoice for B2C retail transactions
NFComNota Fiscal de Serviços de Comunicação Eletrônica, Brazilian electronic invoice for telecommunications and communication services
NFS-eNota Fiscal de Serviços Eletrônica, Brazilian electronic invoice for B2B and B2G service transactions
RFBReceita Federal do Brasil, the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service
SEFAZSecretaria da Fazenda, Brazilian state tax authority infrastructure managing electronic invoicing
SPEDSistema Público de Escrituração Digital, Brazil’s comprehensive e-reporting system collecting financial, accounting, tax, and labor information

Colombia

DIANDirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales, the Colombian tax and customs authority (see DIAN Colombia)
Documento Equivalente ElectrónicoColombian electronic document required for B2C transactions since 2024
FEVFactura Electrónica de Venta, Colombia’s official electronic invoice format for B2B and B2G transactions
Municipal CodeFive-digit code used in Colombia instead of postal code to specify the municipality
RADIANColombian system combining e-invoicing with negotiable instruments, enabling invoices to be used as financial instruments
Título Valor ElectrónicoElectronic negotiable instrument status given to invoices in Colombia’s RADIAN system

France

AnnuaireFrench state directory used by Plateformes Agréées to route invoices to buyers
ChorusProFrench government platform for B2G electronic invoicing, mandatory for invoicing public entities (see ChorusPro France)
Data ConcentratorFrench government system that stores VAT data for each transaction as part of e-reporting
DGFIPDirection Générale des Finances Publiques, the French public finance directorate responsible for tax collection
PAPlateforme Agréée, certified platform in France that routes invoices through Peppol and submits data to the data concentrator
PDPPlateforme de Dématérialisation Partenaire, approved partner platform in France for e-invoicing and e-reporting (see PDP Guide)
Peppol BIS 3.0Latest version of Peppol Business Interoperability Specifications, fully compliant with EN 16931 (see Peppol)
PPFPortail Public de Facturation, French public invoicing portal part of the PDP system

Germany

GoBDGerman rules (Grundsätze zur ordnungsmäßigen Führung und Aufbewahrung von Büchern, Aufzeichnungen und Unterlagen in elektronischer Form) ensuring data integrity, readability, and domestic accessibility for archived documents
XRechnungGermany’s standard for e-invoices in public procurement (B2G), based on EN 16931 and implemented in UBL or CII syntax (see XRechnung Guide)
ZUGFeRDGerman hybrid format combining PDF/A-3 with embedded XML, aligned with EN 16931 and equivalent to France’s Factur-X (see ZUGFeRD Guide)

Greece

IAPRIndependent Authority for Public Revenue, the Greek tax authority managing myDATA (see myDATA & IAPR Guide)
MARKUnique identifier assigned by myDATA to validated invoices in Greece
myDATAMy Digital Accounting and Tax Application, Greece’s electronic invoicing and reporting platform

Italy

Documento CommercialeItalian digital fiscal document for B2C transactions that records sales and transmits them to the tax authority
FacturaPAItalian standardized XML format for electronic invoicing used in B2B and B2G transactions
Recipient CodeSeven-digit alphanumeric identifier used in Italy’s SDI system to route invoices to the correct recipient
SDISistema di Interscambio, Italy’s central hub for transmitting, validating, and delivering electronic invoices (see SDI Italy)
Unique CodeSix-character alphanumeric code (also known as IPA code) used in Italy to identify specific government agency offices for B2G invoices

Mexico

CFDIComprobante Fiscal Digital por Internet, Mexico’s standardized electronic invoicing format
CSDCertificado de Sello Digital, digital seal certificate required for Mexican CFDI invoices (see SAT Mexico Guide)
PACProveedor Autorizado de Certificación, Authorized Certification Provider required to validate and certify Mexican CFDI invoices
RFCRegistro Federal de Contribuyentes, Mexican tax identification number
SATServicio de Administración Tributaria, Mexico’s tax authority managing the CFDI system (see SAT Mexico)

Poland

KSeFKrajowy System e-Faktur, Poland’s mandatory electronic invoicing system (see KSeF Poland)

Portugal

TermDefinition
ATCUDUnique code assigned to each invoice by the Portuguese Tax Authority (AT)
ATAutoridade Tributária, the Portuguese Tax Authority (see AT Portugal)
SAF-TStandard Audit File for Tax, XML-based format used to report accounting and invoicing data to tax authorities

Spain

AEATAgencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria, the Spanish Tax Agency
FACeSpanish centralized government platform for submitting B2G invoices in Facturae format
NaTicketUpcoming electronic invoicing system for Navarra, Spain, based on TicketBAI and VERI*FACTU
SIISuministro Inmediato de Información, Spain’s near-real-time VAT reporting system for large companies
TBAITicketBAI identifier, unique code assigned to each invoice in the Basque Country’s TicketBAI system
TicketBAIElectronic invoicing and anti-fraud system used in the Basque Country (Álava, Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa), Spain
VERI*FACTUSpain’s e-reporting and fiscalization system requiring digitally signed invoices with QR codes for B2B transactions