Updated information on the draft Act on the Exchange of Electronic Invoices and Other Electronic Documents (ZIERDED)
The draft Law on the Exchange of Electronic Invoices and Other Electronic Documents (ZIERDED), which comprehensively regulates the exchange of e-invoices and other electronic business documents, is currently undergoing interministerial coordination. The law will establish uniform rules for the mandatory use of e-invoices in the business environment and enhance oversight of digital document exchange. The key objectives of the legislation are to simplify business operations, reduce administrative costs, increase security and transparency in e-invoice exchange, and align with European Union practices.
Key provisions of the draft law:
1. Mandatory e-invoicing for businesses
With the law expected to come into effect on January 1, 2027, all business entities will be required to exchange e-invoices in their contractual relationships. The use of paper invoices in the business sector will be eliminated, speeding up invoice processing and improving transaction traceability. The main requirements for e-invoice exchange include:
- E-invoices must be exchanged in the e-SLOG 2.0 standard or another internationally recognized standard.
- Business entities must exchange e-invoices via registered e-invoicing service providers, who will be listed in the official registry maintained by the Public Payments Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (UJP).
- Direct exchange of e-invoices will only be permitted if the issuer and recipient have an appropriate agreement in place and ensure compliance with prescribed standards.
- E-invoice exchange via email will not be allowed, as it does not provide sufficient security or automated data processing.
2. Stricter requirements for e-invoicing service providers
To ensure secure, stable, and reliable e-invoice exchange, the law introduces stricter requirements for e-invoicing service providers. These providers will have to be registered on a list maintained by UJP and will need to establish test connections with UJP before registration. Additionally, service providers must either obtain ISO/IEC 27001 certification or undergo external security audits.
3. Option to issue e-invoices to consumers
Businesses will be able to issue e-invoices to consumers, provided that both parties agree in advance. If consumers consent to receive e-invoices, they will be able to receive them through e-invoicing service providers or via email. However, despite digitalization, consumers will retain the right to request paper invoices at any time.
4. Increased traceability and automation of accounting processes
The introduction of mandatory e-invoicing and the integration of e-invoicing service providers will grant businesses greater control over transactions. This will enable:
- Automated invoice processing, reducing the need for manual data entry and minimizing errors in accounting systems.
- Improved traceability and automated delivery notifications for e-invoices, as service providers will be required to send delivery notes.
- Exchange of business response messages confirming or rejecting an invoice, if the recipient opts for this feature.
- Simplified business connections, as service providers will facilitate interoperability and broader service accessibility.
Since e-invoicing will become mandatory, companies will need to update their accounting processes to comply with the new rules. Digitalization will lead to faster and more efficient financial document management, reduce the need for manual labour, and facilitate easier auditing of transactions.
