The latest hot topic in the world of paperless trading is the e-invoice. In early 2005, work commenced at UN/CEFACT to update Recommendation 6 on the Aligned Invoice Layout Key to cover electronic versions of the invoice. Now the new annex to this recommendation has reached the public review stage and interested parties are being invited to submit their comments on the draft text.
Over the last few years several important initiatives have developed that either mandate or allow the use of e-invoicing among trading partners and between the business and government. Consequently many parties to the commercial transaction have been seeking an internationally agreed standard that will support and promote the development of the e-invoice, and accommodate and encourage the migration from the existing paper based standard for the aligned invoice to the electronic equivalent.
SITPRO has also formed a new e-business sub-group to look at this and other work on e-invoicing, including work within the EU expert group on e-invoicing. SITPRO’s group held its second meeting in June and is currently working to identify areas where its expertise can help in this important area.
Details of the updates to Recommendation 6 can be found at http://www.unece.org/cefact and comments can be made directly or through Sue Bravery at SITPRO. The consultation finishes at the end of August so submissions should be made as soon as possible so that they can be considered.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 65, Summer 2008
