ORDER X, The Franco-German Standard for Electronic Orders

The Franco-German electronic invoicing forum “Forum elektronische Rechnung Deutschland (FeRD)/Forum National de la Facture Electronique et de Marches Publics Electroniques (FNFE-MPE)” has defined a new standard for the electronic order called ORDER-X.

France and Germany are looking to catalyze the digitalization of supply chain processes and facilitate crossborder transactions between France and Germany.

The new ORDER-X Standard adds itself to the ZUGFeRD/ Factur-X systems increasing the number of EDI messages defined by both countries for the interchange of business information. With ORDER-X the full purchase order to invoice flow is defined.

As is the case with the ZUGFeRD/ Factur-X electronic invoice, the ORDER-X is an electronic document in a hybrid format composed of a PDF A/3 with an imbedded XML based on the Supply Chain Reference Data Model Cross Industry – SCRDM UN/CEFACT.

The ORDER-X format contemplates 3 necessary messages during the order process:

• ORDER: initial order message sent by the buyer to the supplier.
• ORDER_RESPONSE: sent by the supplier to the buyer to accept, reject, or propose modifications to the order by soliciting a confirmation from the buyer through an ORDER CHANGE.
• ORDER_CHANGE: Modification to the order sent by the buyer to the supplier.

This new standard reinforces Franco-German collaboration which began in 2014 with the development of the e-invoicing standard also coordinated by the FeRF/FNFE-MPE.

EDICOM coordinates GOVEIN2019 project (Action No: 2019-EU-IA-0046)

*The contents of this publication belong solely to EDICOM GROUP and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.