FORMAT-002:PDF must be PDF/A format
Fix: Convert PDF to PDF/A-3 format.
Factur-X requires PDF/A-3 base document.
Engine Classification
Financial or legal field · Modification blocked by policy
Reason: Factur-X and ZUGFeRD require a PDF/A-3 compliant base document. The PDF must be regenerated as PDF/A-3 format with the XML properly embedded. Use PDF generation software that supports PDF/A-3 output.
What is FORMAT-002?
FORMAT-002 is a fatal validation rule defined in the factur-x specification. It validates the A compliance check element in the UBL invoice XML.
When this rule fires, the invoice is rejected by Peppol access points and never reaches the buyer.
Target path: PDF/A compliance check
Why This Error Matters
Factur-X requires archival PDF format.
FORMAT-002 is a hard failure — the invoice must be corrected and re-sent before it can reach the recipient.
Validator Behavior
- ·Causes invoice rejection
- ·Error returned: FORMAT-002
- ·Specification: factur-x
How to Fix It
Check PDF type
Must be PDF/A-3a or PDF/A-3b
Convert
Use PDF/A conversion tool
XML Example
Generic example based on the rule's target XPath. Your actual XML structure may differ.
<!-- Triggers validation error --> <A compliance check></A compliance check>
<!-- Corrected --> <A compliance check>VALID_VALUE</A compliance check>
Technical Reference
PDF/A compliance checkCommon Causes
- ·Standard PDF
- ·PDF/A-1 or PDF/A-2
Seeing this in production? The API handles FORMAT-002 automatically. See the fix response →
Frequently Asked Questions
Factur-X requires PDF/A-3 base document.
Convert PDF to PDF/A-3 format. This error involves a protected field — Invoice Navigator flags it in your pipeline so your team can correct it at the source.
Yes, FORMAT-002 is a critical error that must be fixed.
Related Errors
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Last updated: 3 March 2026
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