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E-invoice error explained

ZUGFeRD PDF is not PDF/A-3 compliant

veraPDF checked the PDF against PDF/A-3 and found violations.

What the rule checks

veraPDF checked the PDF against PDF/A-3 and found violations. The XML data may still be correct. Many receivers and archive systems still reject a hybrid PDF without valid PDF/A-3, because it cannot be archived as required. veraPDF names the clause of the standard that failed, for example 6.2.11.4.1 for a font that is not embedded.

Official rule text

Summary in our own words, not an official rule text: A ZUGFeRD or Factur-X invoice is a PDF/A-3 document (ISO 19005-3) with the invoice data embedded as XML. The PDF must meet the PDF/A-3 requirements, at least level b: all fonts embedded, an output intent with a colour profile, XMP metadata with the PDF/A identification, no encryption and no JavaScript. The embedded XML must be linked as an associated file with an AFRelationship and the MIME type text/xml, and the XMP metadata must carry the Factur-X extension with file name, version and profile.

Summary of the requirement in our own words.

Typical causes

  • The PDF was produced with a normal print driver and the XML was attached later. That does not turn a PDF into PDF/A-3.
  • A font is not embedded, often Arial or a symbol font from a logo.
  • The output intent or colour profile is missing, or images use transparency or colour spaces without a profile.
  • XMP metadata is missing, outdated or does not match the document info dictionary. The PDF was edited, signed or compressed again after it was created.

How to fix it

Create the PDF directly as PDF/A-3 with a library or tool that supports ZUGFeRD, and embed the XML in the same step. Embed all fonts, set an output intent (for example sRGB) and do not modify the finished PDF afterwards. Check the file again with veraPDF, profile PDF/A-3b.

Example

Wrong (XMP)

<rdf:Description rdf:about=""
    xmlns:pdfaid="http://www.aiim.org/pdfa/ns/id/">
  <!-- pdfaid:part missing -->
</rdf:Description>

Right (XMP)

<rdf:Description rdf:about=""
    xmlns:pdfaid="http://www.aiim.org/pdfa/ns/id/">
  <pdfaid:part>3</pdfaid:part>
  <pdfaid:conformance>B</pdfaid:conformance>
</rdf:Description>

In Dynamics 365, Business Central and Finance

Sales / Project Operations: Sales and Project Operations have no e-invoice output out of the box. In the WBS Invoice Accelerator for Dynamics 365 the Accelerator creates ZUGFeRD as PDF/A-3 with embedded XML (profile EN 16931). If veraPDF reports an error on such a file, send the file to WBS. A PDF from the print dialog is not an e-invoice.

Business Central: From version 26.3, ZUGFeRD is a document format on the E-Document Services page. A document you print and save as PDF yourself is not ZUGFeRD.

Related error codes

All error codes

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