Handelsmeldinger

Handelsmeldinger are standardized electronic messages used in business-to-business communications to manage commercial transactions. They cover the lifecycle of a trade from order placement to payment and settlement, providing a record of intent and status for both buyer and seller.

Common types include purchase orders, order confirmations, shipping notices (advanced ship notices), invoices, remittance advices, and credit notes. They are exchanged between buyers, suppliers, carriers, and financial institutions, and can trigger downstream processes in ERP, warehouse, and accounting systems.

Formats and standards: Historically, many are transmitted as EDI documents using EDIFACT or ANSI X12. Today, XML-based formats such as UBL or cXML are common, and many markets use electronic invoicing standards. In Norway and much of Europe, Elektronisk Handelsformat (EHF) and the PEPPOL network are widely used for e-procurement and invoicing, enabling interoperability across systems and borders.

Implementation and benefits: Handelsmeldinger are typically exchanged over secure networks or through cloud-based platforms, in real time or in batches. They reduce manual data entry, improve accuracy, speed up ordering and payment cycles, provide an auditable trail, and facilitate compliance with tax and reporting requirements. However, they require standardized data models and robust data governance.

Security and compliance: Organizations must ensure data privacy, access control, and archiving policies, and align with VAT, invoicing rules, and industry regulations. Proper validation, error handling, and retry mechanisms are essential to maintain supply chain resilience.