FORMAT-004:Invalid ZUGFeRD profile
ZUGFeRD documents must specify valid profile.
Engine Classification
Financial or legal field · Modification blocked by policy
Reason: ZUGFeRD documents must specify a valid profile (MINIMUM, BASIC, BASIC WL, EN16931, EXTENDED). The profile identifier in the XML must match one of these. Regenerate the invoice with your software configured for a valid ZUGFeRD profile.
What is FORMAT-004?
FORMAT-004 is a fatal validation rule defined in the zugferd specification. It validates the ZUGFeRD profile identification 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: ZUGFeRD profile identification
Why This Error Matters
Profile determines validation rules.
FORMAT-004 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
- ·Error returned: FORMAT-004
- ·Specification: zugferd
How to Fix It
Check profile
MINIMUM, BASIC, COMFORT, EXTENDED
Set identifier
In XML guideline context
XML Example
Generic example based on the rule's target XPath. Your actual XML structure may differ.
<!-- Triggers validation error --> <ZUGFeRD profile identification></ZUGFeRD profile identification>
<!-- Corrected --> <ZUGFeRD profile identification>VALID_VALUE</ZUGFeRD profile identification>
Technical Reference
ZUGFeRD profile identificationCommon Causes
- ·Missing profile
- ·Invalid identifier
Seeing this in production? The API handles FORMAT-004 automatically. See the fix response →
Frequently Asked Questions
ZUGFeRD documents must specify valid profile.
Use valid ZUGFeRD profile identifier. Invoice Navigator can help identify and fix this issue.
Yes, FORMAT-004 is a critical error that must be fixed.
See Also
Related Errors
Last updated: 19 January 2026
Handle FORMAT-004 Automatically in Your Pipeline
The compliance engine auto-remediates this error with controlled safety policies and evidence pack generation.