Message Level Response (MLR)

What is a Message Level Response (MLR)?

An MLR (Message Level Response) is an automatic, technical receipt that the recipient's system sends back to the sender. The purpose is to confirm whether the sent e-invoice has been received and technically accepted, or if it has been rejected due to errors in the file.

How it works

When an invoice is sent through, for example, the Peppol network, it first lands at the recipient's "entry gate." Here, the system performs a lightning-fast scan of the file. If everything is correct, an MLR with the status "Accepted" is generated. If there are syntax errors (errors in the code), an MLR with the status "Rejected" is sent along with an error code explaining what is wrong. It functions as a digital handshake, confirming that the message has arrived safely and is readable.

Why is it important?

A common mistake is believing an invoice is paid simply because it has been "sent." Without MLR handling, the sender has no way of knowing if the invoice was stopped in the recipient's system due to a technical error. By proactively monitoring MLR responses, the finance department can correct errors immediately instead of waiting weeks for a reminder from a supplier whose invoice never actually reached the approval stage.