warningubl-2.1
UBL-SR-04:Empty elements should be removed
UBL elements with no content should be omitted.
We can fix this automatically
AUTO-FIXAuto-fix: Keep the first occurrence and remove duplicate elements. EN16931 requires exactly one of this element.
No manual changes needed
Upload and Fix NowWhy This Error Matters
Invoice will be rejected by EN16931 validators. These structural constraints ensure consistent processing by receiving systems.
How to Fix It
1
Find empty elements
Elements with no text or children
2
Remove or populate
Delete unnecessary, add content to required
Technical Details
XPath: Various empty elementsCommon Causes
- ERP system exports multiple references where only one is allowed in EN16931
- Data consolidation merged records that should have been deduplicated
- Template or mapping incorrectly configured to output duplicate elements
- Manual editing introduced extra elements
- Invoice conversion from another format did not merge duplicate entries
Frequently Asked Questions
UBL elements with no content should be omitted.
Remove empty elements or add required content. You can also use Invoice Navigator's automatic Fixer tool to correct this instantly.
UBL-SR-04 is a warning that may not always cause rejection, but should be addressed for full compliance.
Related Errors
Last updated: 16 January 2026
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