QR-bill and eBill – the Duo of the Future

Required knowledge

• Application of the QR-bill and eBill Implementation Guidelines

In the age of digitalization, the introduction of the QR-bill and the eBill platform in Switzerland is an important step towards optimizing invoicing. They ensure not only greater efficiency, but also greater security in the processing of financial transactions. Unlike traditional methods such as sending PDF invoices by e-mail, the combination provides robust protection of personal invoice information.

Integration and Adoption

A key aspect that characterizes the QR-bill in Switzerland is its broad acceptance and integration into companies’ payment transactions. Today, virtually all invoice issuers and payment system software vendors in Switzerland support the QR-bill, underscoring its central role in the Swiss financial ecosystem. The great advantage of the QR-bill lies in its seamless integration into existing payment systems. By using the QR reference to uniquely identify payments and by being compatible with Swiss payment standards, which are based on the internationally recognized ISO 20022 standard for the exchange of electronic financial messages, the QR-bill bridges the gap be­tween traditional and digital payment methods. This integration ensures smooth, efficient, and errorfree transaction processing, making the QR-bill an indispensable tool in modern business transactions.

Security and Customer Satisfaction

The eBill platform is characterized by a closed loop, which is supported by the central infrastructure of SIX and the integration into e-banking platforms of the banks. This approach ensures that all data, even when converted between different formats, always remains in a secure environment (see figure). For invoice issuers, the closed eBill loop provides valuable security by ensuring that personal invoice information, which is usually business-critical, remains protected. At the same time, the seamless integration with banking systems makes it easier for recipients to pay their invoices by allowing them to review and pay eBill invoices directly from their e-banking portal. These benefits translate into greater efficiency, lower error rates and higher customer satisfaction.

QR-bill and eBill Set New Quality Standards

Together, QR-bill and eBill form a robust infrastructure that ensures security and seamless integration with existing payment systems, providing a secure alternative to traditional methods. Network partners can convert eBill-enabled QR-bills in PDF format directly into an eBill invoice and send it via the eBill platform. For a QR-bill to be eBill-enabled, it requires additional information, such as the invoice recipient's e-mail address in the “Alternative procedures” field (see table).

Peter Ruoss
Product Owner Payment Software Partners, UBS Switzerland AG