The EU has endorsed the creation of a single standard for e-procurement and invoicing, allowing all European public services to accept e-invoices.

The single standard has the potential to deliver savings of €2.3 billion by removing border-barriers to cross-public procurement and facilitate digital invoices with their added benefits.

The acceptance of the draft directive sets the way for a final vote in April before the single standard is adopted.

EU creates new procurement rulings

Commissioner for internal market and services, Michel Barnier, said: “By agreeing on the establishment of a common EU standard for e-invoicing in public procurement, interoperable with existing national standards and ensuring acceptance of e-invoices sent in this standard, we have prevented the creation of a new barrier to the single market and reduced complexity for all parties involved.”

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