PEPPOL-COMMON-R040:GLN must have a valid format according to GS1 rules
GLN must have a valid format according to GS1 rules. This validation rule ensures Invoice compliance with Peppol BIS 3.0.
Engine Classification
Business data required · Explicit input workflow · No assumptions made
Required input: Correct GLN (Global Location Number)
What is PEPPOL-COMMON-R040?
PEPPOL-COMMON-R040 is a fatal validation rule defined in the Peppol BIS 3.0 specification. It validates the EndpointID element in the UBL invoice XML.
When this rule fires, the invoice is non-compliant and will be rejected by Peppol access points and national validation services. The sending system receives a rejection response and the invoice does not reach the buyer.
Target path: //cbc:EndpointID[@schemeID='0088']
Why This Error Matters
Invoice will be rejected by PEPPOL validation. Invalid GLN cannot be used to identify parties or locations on the network.
PEPPOL-COMMON-R040 is a hard failure. Invoices that trigger this rule are rejected at the access point and never reach the recipient. In Peppol networks, this means your sending system receives an MLR (Message Level Response) with a rejection status. The invoice must be corrected and re-sent, adding delay to your payment cycle.
Validator Behavior
- ·Causes invoice rejection
- ·Rejected by PEPPOL Access Points
- ·Error returned: PEPPOL-COMMON-R040
- ·Specification: Peppol BIS 3.0
How to Fix It
Find the correct GLN
Look up your company's GLN in the GS1 registry or on your GS1 membership certificate. GLNs are always exactly 13 digits.
Verify the check digit
The last digit is a check digit. If it was manually entered, a typo here is the most common cause of this error.
Update your settings
Correct the GLN in your invoicing software. This number identifies your company in the Peppol network.
Before / After
<Invoice> <!-- Issue: GLN must have a valid format according to GS1 rules --> </Invoice>
<Invoice> <!-- Issue resolved per Peppol BIS 3.0 --> </Invoice>
Technical Reference
//cbc:EndpointID[@schemeID='0088']Common Causes
- ·GLN entered with a typo in the last digit
- ·GLN copied from a barcode with OCR error
- ·Old GLN that was reassigned or deactivated
- ·Test GLN used in production
Seeing this in production? The API handles PEPPOL-COMMON-R040 automatically. See the fix response →
Commonly Seen In
See Also
Related Errors
Last updated: 27 February 2026
Handle PEPPOL-COMMON-R040 Automatically in Your Pipeline
The compliance engine auto-remediates this error with controlled safety policies and evidence pack generation.