Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)

Security Features Implementation Standards to the E-Invoicing resolution dated 2022-06-24

Version Date Updates

1.0 2021-05-28
1.1 2022-06-24  Defined the EGS serial number
 Amended some references
 Added “Certificate Signing Request (CSR) “Subject” field content or
Relative Distinguished Names (RDNs)” table
 Added the order of operations for encoding the QR

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Table of Contents

1 Context 3
1.1 Document structure 3
1.2 Audience 3
1.3 Definitions and Acronyms 4
2 Cryptographic Stamp Specifications 6
2.1 Cryptographic Stamp Business Processes 6
2.1.1 The processes of Issuance and management of Cryptographic Stamp Identifiers used for
Cryptographic Stamping 6
2.1.2 Renewal of digital certificates for Cryptographic Stamps 7
2.1.3 Revocation of digital certificates for Cryptographic Stamps 7
2.2 Standard requirements on the creation and use of Cryptographic Stamps 9
2.2.1 Requirements 9
2.2.2 Profile specification of the Cryptographic Stamp identifiers 13
2.3 Structure and Format of the Cryptographic Stamp 18
2.3.1 Introduction 18
2.3.2 Notation for the requirements 18
2.3.3 Structure of the Cryptographic Stamp in XAdES format 19
2.3.4 Structure of the Cryptographic Stamp in PAdES format 23
3 Previous invoice hash specification 25
4 QR code specifications 25
4.1 Structure of the QR code 25
5 EGS Authentication using OAuth 2 Basic Authentication 27

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1 Context
This document contains the security requirements for electronic invoice that taxpayers need to meet to
comply with the “E-invoicing” Resolution published by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.

This document complies with the principles defined by NCDC and NCA, where relevant, to ensure the
minimum degree of protection required for national data, systems and networks using cryptographic
mechanisms, for civilian and commercial purposes. Those principles are defined in the two published
documents:
1. NCA’s National Cryptographic Standards (NCS – 1 : 2020)
2. NCDC’s Digital Signing Policy (Version 1.1: 2020).

These requirements are based on technical definitions from the following standards
1. ETSI EN 319 132-1: Technical Electronic Signatures and Infrastructures (ESI); XAdES technical digital
signatures; Part 1: Building blocks and XAdES baseline technical signatures
2. ETSI EN 319 142-1: Technical Electronic Signatures and Infrastructures (ESI); PAdES technical digital
signatures; Part 1: Building blocks and PAdES baseline technical signatures
3. W3C Recommendation: "XML-Signature Syntax and Processing".
4. ETSI EN 319 122-1: "Electronic Signatures and Infrastructures (ESI); CAdES digital signatures; Part 1:
Building blocks and CAdES baseline signatures".
5. IETF RFC 5035 (2007): "Enhanced Security Services (ESS) Update: Adding CertID Algorithm Agility".
6. ISO 32000-1: "Document management - Portable document format - Part 1: PDF 1.7".
7. IETF RFC 5652 (2009): "Cryptographic Message Syntax (CMS)".
8. RFP6749 - OAuth 2 Authentication we will use Basic Authentication with the Certificate being the
Client ID and the Secret being the provided secret value (https://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc6749.txt)
and are enhanced as per the e-invoicing resolution published. References to electronic signatures in these
standards are for technical features in broad common use and are not to be interpreted as relating to Saudi
Electronic Transaction Law.

The requirements set out in this document, as per the published resolution, are the minimum set of
requirements that must be complied with by taxpayers and their Electronic Invoice Generation Solutions

1.1 Document structure

This document is structured as follows:

- Chapter 1 Context
- Chapter 2 Cryptographic Stamp Specifications
- Chapter 3: QR code specification
- Chapter 4: EGS Authentication using OAuth 2.0 Basic Authentication

1.2 Audience

The audience for this document is ZATCA registered VAT Taxpayers generating VAT invoices and their service
providers.

These organizations may be:

● Service providers
● Taxpayers
● Software Developers
More specifically, roles addressed are the following:

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 ● ICT Architects
● ICT Security Specialists
● ICT Developers

1.3 Definitions and Acronyms

These definitions and acronyms describe concepts specific to the Electronic Invoicing implementation and
are not to be construed as general legal terms.

● Technical Certification Authority (CA): An authorized service that issues Cryptographic Stamp
Identifiers or provides other services in this connection and in relation to Cryptographic Stamps.
● Cryptographic Stamp: The Cryptographic Stamp is a technical digital signature, and in the context of
E Invoicing Implementing Resolution it will be the technical digital signature of the hash of the
document. A digital signature is a mathematical scheme for verifying the authenticity of documents.
In the context of E Invoicing Implementing Resolution, a valid digital signature, where the
prerequisites are satisfied, is evidence for the recipient to believe that the invoice was created by the
specified sender, and that the content is has not been altered. Cryptographic Stamps in the context
of E Invoicing Implementing Resolution are defined according to the ECDSA standard. Applying the
Cryptographic Stamp is referred to as “stamping”.
● CRL: Certificate Revocation List (CRL) Data structure that enumerates digital certificates that have
been invalidated by their issuer prior to when they were scheduled to expire.
● Digital Certificate: A Cryptographic Stamp Identifier linking a taxpayer’s Invoice Generating Solution
unit and a trusted party (ZATCA) able to confirm the taxpayer’s identity. It is used to establish the
identity of an individual, organization, or Web server to which the certificate was issued. As far as
this document is concerned, the Digital Certificate identifies the entity applying Cryptographic
Stamps on e-invoices. The Cryptographic Stamp Identifier (technically a Digital Certificate) is
associated with the signing Key pair used to apply Cryptographic Stamps on e-Invoices, therefore it is
also going to be referenced as Cryptographic Stamp Identifier.
● Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA): A Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) which uses
keys derived from elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). While functionally providing the same outcome
as other digital signing algorithms, because ECDSA is based on the more efficient elliptic curve
cryptography, ECDSA requires smaller keys to provide equivalent security and is therefore more
efficient.
● E-Invoicing platform: System used to receive and/or clear compliant electronic invoices.
● Certified Solution: The solutions used to generate invoices according to the requirements specified
in the Governor’s Resolution on the Electronic Invoicing Generation Implementing No. () dated 16
Rajab 1442H.
● ETSI: ETSI is an independent, not-for-profit, standardization organization in the field of information
and communications. ETSI supports the development and testing of global technical standards for
ICT-enabled systems, applications and services.
● Hash: A hash function is any function that can be used to map data of arbitrary size to fixed-size
values called hashes that takes up minimal space. A hash procedure is deterministic—meaning that
for a given input value it must always generate the same hash value. It is not possible to derive the
original data from a hash; hence, hashing is meant to verify that a file or piece of data hasn’t been
altered.
● Key Pair: A set of mathematically related keys, a public key and a private key, that are used for
asymmetric cryptography and are generated in a way that makes it computationally infeasible to
derive the private key from knowledge of the public key.
● OCSP responder: Online Certificate Status Protocol responder. An online service that responds to
Certificate Status Requests and that can issue one of three responses: “Valid”, “Invalid”, or
“Unknown,” based on Certificate Revocation Lists or other mechanisms provided to it by Certification
Authorities.

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 ● UUID: Unified Unique Identification Number, is a 128-bit number used to identify information in
computer systems used for E-Invoice Generation. UUIDs generation scheme ensures to a high
probability that the generated number is globally unique without the need to check a central
database.
● Public key: The public component of a pair of cryptographic keys associated with Cryptographic
Stamp Identifier used for stamping. In a public key cryptosystem, this key of a user's key pair is
publicly known.
● Private Key: The secret component of a pair of cryptographic keys associated with the Cryptographic
Stamp Identifier used for stamping. In a public key cryptosystem, this key is known only by its user.
● QR Code (“Quick Response Code”): A type of matrix barcode, with a pattern of black and white
squares that is machine readable by a QR code scanner or the camera of smart devices. For this
Resolution a QR code must include basic invoice information specified in this document.

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2 Cryptographic Stamp Specifications

2.1 Cryptographic Stamp Business Processes

2.1.1The processes of Issuance and management of Cryptographic Stamp Identifiers used for
Cryptographic Stamping
As part of the EGS onboarding, a Cryptographic Stamp Identifier (digital certificate) is going to be issued for
the first time, the EGS will store the signing key pair as well as issued certificate in order to use it for
stamping e-invoices. The below diagram shows the overall process of enrolling a taxpayer’s EGS and issue a
digital certificate for it. The process is also described below:
1. The taxpayer representative uses his/her existing credentials to login to taxpayer Portal
2. Select “Enroll new EGS” to issue a certificate for an EGS for the first time. Fill In the details required
to generate certificate such as:
a. Device ID, location etc.
b. A certificate request file generated from the EGS either manually using a tool provided by
the EGS vendor or automatically through taxpayer Portal
3. Taxpayer Portal does the necessary business rules validation to before passing the certification
request to ZATCA’s technical CA
4. ZATCA’s technical CA registers the device into its database and issue a Cryptographic Stamp Identifier
(digital certificate) then returns it back to taxpayer Portal
5. Taxpayer Portal makes the Cryptographic Stamp Identifier (digital certificate) available for download
6. The Cryptographic Stamp Identifier (digital certificate) gets installed on the EGS either manually or
automatically through taxpayer Portal

TAXPAYER Taxpayer Portal ZATCA Technical CA

1 Login to taxpayer portal

Validate Taxpayer data &

3 Request Cryptographic Stamp
Identifier

2 Select “Enroll New Certified

Solution” and provide details

Generate Cryptographic
Install the Cryptographic Stamp
4 Stamp Identifier

6 Identifier on the Certified

Solution

5 Avail Cryptographic Stamp

Identifier for download

Note: Further details on the Cryptographic Stamp Identifier (digital certificate) issuance are going to be
published by ZATCA as part of the issuing CA business disclosure statement.

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 2.1.2 Renewal of digital certificates for Cryptographic Stamps
Prior to certificate expiry, the taxpayers will receive a reminder notification from taxpayer Portal on the
expiry of each certificate. Upon receiving the notification, taxpayers shall follow the below process to renew
EGS certificates.
As shown in the diagram, the taxpayer can submit a renewal request as follows:
1. The taxpayer representative uses his/her existing credentials to login to taxpayer Portal
2. Select “Renew digital certificate” and provide the certificate and device identification details.
a. A certificate request file generated from the EGS either manually using a tool provided by
the EGS vendor or automatically through taxpayer Portal
3. Taxpayer Portal validates the data entered by the taxpayer then submit the request to the ZATCA
technical CA
4. The CA validates that the existing certificate is not revoked or renewed before then revoke existing
certificate
5. The CA issues a new digital certificate then return it back to taxpayer Portal
6. Taxpayer Portal makes the certificate available for download
7. The certificate gets installed on the EGS either manually or automatically through taxpayer Portal

TAXPAYER Taxpayer Portal ZATCA Technical CA

1 Login to taxpayer portal

Validate Taxpayer data &

3 Request Cryptographic Stamp
Identifier

2 Select “Renew Certified

Solution” and provide details
Validate and revoke existing
4 Cryptographic Stamp
Identifier

Install the Cryptographic Stamp

7 Identifier on the Certified
Solution
5 Generate new Cryptographic
Stamp Identifier

6 Avail Cryptographic Stamp

Identifier for download

Note: For further details on the certificate renewal please refer to taxpayer portal.

2.1.3 Revocation of digital certificates for Cryptographic Stamps

The taxpayer needs to revoke the digital certificate of an EGS in the following circumstances in order to avoid
any potential unauthorized use of the taxpayer’s Cryptographic Stamp:

● If the taxpayer believes that the private key (or the EGS) was stolen or otherwise compromised,

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 ● if the EGS has been damaged, decommissioned or transferred to business unit
● If the taxpayer discovers that the information in the digital certificate is not accurate
As shown in the diagram, the taxpayer can submit a revocation request as follows:
1. The taxpayer representative uses his/her existing credentials to login to taxpayer Portal
2. Select “Revoke digital certificate” and provide the certificate and device identification details
3. Taxpayer Portal validates the data entered by the taxpayer then submit the request to the CA
4. The CA validates that the certificate is valid (not expired or revoked) then revoke the certificate and
publish the revocation data
5. Taxpayers and other relevant stakeholders can check the certificate revocation status through the CA
publications (CRL/OCSP)

TAXPAYER Taxpayer Portal ZATCA Technical CA

1 Login to taxpayer portal

3 Validate revocation request

Select “Revoke Cryptographic

2 Stamp Identifier” and provide
details
Update the database and the
4 revocation list (CRL)

Query the OCSP on request to Online

5b verify which Identifiers are still

alive
Certificate
Status Protocol
(OCSP)

reads periodically from CRL to Certificate

5a verify which Identifiers are still

active
Revocation List
(CRL)

Note: Further details on the certificate revocation are going to be published by ZATCA as part of the issuing
CA business disclosure statement.

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2.2 Standard requirements on the creation and use of Cryptographic Stamps

2.2.1 Requirements

# Requirement Description

Standard e-invoices:
The below diagram illustrates the invoice generation process at high level where standard e-invoices are cleared
and stamped by ZATCA’s centralized e-invoicing platform.

Workflow
1.1 (sequencing and
timing) of signatures

Platform digitally stamps the invoice

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 Simplified e-invoices:
The below diagram illustrates the invoice generation process at high level where standard e-invoices are stamped
by the taxpayer’s EGS:

Workflow
1.2 (sequencing and
timing) of signatures

Digital certificate ZATCA is going to establish its own technical CA for issuing the Cryptographic Stamp Identifiers (digital certificates)
2
issuing CA(s) that are going to be used to apply Cryptographic Stamps on e-Invoices.

Subscriber Before using the Digital Stamp Identifier, the taxpayer shall review and agree to the terms and conditions of
3
agreement subscriber agreement with ZATCA.

A unique Cryptographic Stamp Identifier (digital certificate) is going to be issued to each EGS system that belongs
to taxpayers as well as to ZATCA’s e-invoicing platform. Therefore, the certificate is going to include unique
4 Certificate subject
identifiers for the system applying Cryptographic Stamps as will entity owning that system such as:
● Taxpayer Identification: VAT registration number

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 ● EGS Identification: Asset tracking number given by the taxpayer
● EGS serial number: Serial number filled by the solution manufacturer

Please refer to section 2.2.2 Profile specification of the Cryptographic Stamp identifiers for more details on the
information that is going to be stored in the certificate.

Accuracy of the data The digital certificate will store the taxpayer and EGS identification data as mentioned in Req. No. 4. for that ZATCA
5 stored in the digital will rely on the data provided by the taxpayer through taxpayer Portal without further validation and therefore,
certificate the taxpayer is fully responsible for the accuracy and legitimacy of the data provided.

● The Key pair shall be generated according to FIPS 186. Further, reasonable techniques shall be used to
validate the suitability of the generated key pair.
● The suitability of keys shall be done according to either the ECC Full Public Key Validation Routine or the
ECC Partial Public Key Validation Routine. [Source: Sections 5.6.2.3.2 and 5.6.2.3.3, respectively, of NIST SP
6 key generation 56A: Revision 2].
● keys must be marked as non-exportable in order to prohibit key export out of the security module where
the key was generated
● A hardware or software based security module can be used to generate and store the key pair as long as
the above requirements are met

The EGS shall be capable of generating a PKCS#10 CSR that includes at least the Certificate CN and Public key. The
Certificate Signing
7 CSR shall be signed using the private key as a Proof-of-Possession of the private key. Please refer to 2.2.2 Profile
Request (CSR)
specification of the Cryptographic Stamp identifiers

Taxpayers shall use reasonable techniques to protect their signing key pair (particularly, Private key) and keep it
8 Key protection secret be it stored locally or centralized. Such techniques include, but are not limited to, disk encryption especially
of a software based module is used to store the key.

Taxpayers are responsible for activating and protecting their signing key. Taxpayers shall use reasonable
Method of activating
9 techniques to secure the activation data of the Private Key that is used to activate the key for signing. Same
private key
requirement applies to ZATCA’s e-invoicing platform.

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 For electronic invoices generated in XML format: the Cryptographic Stamp shall follow XAdES digital signatures
defined under the ETSI standard [EN 319 132-1]. Please refer to section 2.2.2 Profile specification of the
Cryptographic Stamp identifiers for more details on the signature structure and format.
10 Signature type
For electronic invoices generated in PDF/A-3 format (with embedded XML): the Cryptographic Stamp shall follow
PAdES digital signatures defined under the ETSI standard [EN 319 142-1]. Please refer to section 2.2.2 Profile
specification of the Cryptographic Stamp identifiers for more details on the signature structure and format.

For XAdES, an enveloped signature is required. With enveloped signature, a signature forms a sub-element of the
11 Signature packaging signed XML.
For PAdES, enveloped signature that is only supported.
For electronic invoices generated in XML format: the whole XML content except the QR-code data element need to
be covered by the signature.
For electronic invoices generated in PDF/A-3 format: while the PDF content will be the representation of the XML
invoice in a human readable format, the XML invoice itself will still be added as an attachment as specified in ISO
12 Data to be signed 19005-3 titled "Document management - Electronic document file format for long-term preservation - Part 3: Use
of ISO 32000-1 with support for embedded files (PDF/A-3)", and contain the compliant XML invoice as an
embedded object. In terms of scope/range of the signature, the whole electronic invoice content, meaning the
whole document or the whole PDF/A-3 file (including the attached XML invoice), has to be covered by the
signature.

13 Time of signing The time of signing (claimed signing time) is provided based on the clock of the EGS/ZATCA e-invoicing platform.

Certificate revocation information is published by the CA as CRLs or via OCSP responders.

CRLs shall be valid for seven(7) days which would allow EGSs to work fully offline for seven(7) days before it
Certificate
14 connects to the CRL publication end point in order to download the freshest CRL.
revocation check
Before using the certificate for stamping, EGS/ZATCA e-invoicing platform shall check certificate’s validity against
any of the above mentioned sources.

For PAdES and XAdES, the signature level should be B-B as Illustrated below. This level incorporate only the
15 Signature level elements/qualifying properties that are mandatory, and that implement the mandatory requirements, contain the
lowest number of elements/qualifying properties, with the consequent benefits for interoperability.

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 ● Hashing algorithm shall be SHA-256;
Cryptographic
16
algorithms
● Asymmetric key algorithm shall be ECDSA;
● Key length shall be 256.

● For the ease of validation by ZATCA and other stakeholders, the full chain of certificates from the signing
certificate up to ZATCA’s trust anchor shall be included in the signature.
17 Signature verification
● Certificate path validation and revocation check shall be done as of the time included in the signature.
● Signature verification shall be performed according to the ETSI standard [EN 319 102-1] or equivalent.

The Cryptographic Stamp is intended only to be applied on electronic invoices to establish its authenticity and
integrity. As such, ZATCA, buyers and potentially other stakeholders are going to verify the stamp to establish the
Applicability of the
18 the authenticity and integrity of electronic invoices received from the sellers.
Cryptographic Stamp
ZATCA doesn’t endorse any other purpose of the Cryptographic Stamp except the use of Digital Stamp Identifier to
authenticate the EGS

2.2.2 Profile specification of the Cryptographic Stamp identifiers

This section describes the X.509 profile of the certificate that is going to be issued by ZATCA’s CA for stamping e-invoices. The certificate profile
complies with X.509 v3 certificates as specified in RFC 5280. While the final certificate profile is going to be published by ZATCA in connection with its
CA(s) service as part its CP/CPS, the following is provided as an illustrative profile for taxpayers and vendors.

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 Field / x.509 extension Value or Value Constant Field Type/Critical
Version Version 3 V1 Field
SerialNumber At least 64 bits of entropy validated on duplicates. V1 Field
Signature SHA256 with ECDSA Encryption V1 Field

Issuer <the Subject DN of the issuing CA> V1 Field

NotBefore Certificate generation process date/time. V1 Field

Certificate generation process date/time + Up to 60
NotAfter V1 Field
months (5 years)
Please refer to the Table 1: CSR “Subject” field
Subject V1 Field
content or RDNs below
Public Key
SubjectPublicKeyInfo V1 Field
Key length: P-256
e.g.
[1]CRL Distribution Point
CRL Distribution Points Distribution Point Name: Extension/NO
Full Name: URL=<HTTP URL pointing to the end
point where the CRL is published by the CA>
keyIdentifier encoded in compliance to RFC 5280
The keyIdentifier should be composed of the 160-bit
Authority Key Identifier Extension/NO
SHA-1 hash of the value of the BIT STRING
subjectPublicKey of the issuing CA
keyIdentifier encoded in compliance to RFC 5280
The keyIdentifier should be composed of the 160-bit
Subject Key Identifier Extension/NO
SHA-1 hash of the value of the BIT STRING
subjectPublicKey
[1]Certificate Policy:
Policy Identifier =<OID value to be defined by the
Certificate Policies CA> Extension/NO
[1,1]Policy Qualifier Info:
Policy Qualifier Id=CPS

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 Qualifier:
<HTTPS URL to the CA repository where the
CPS is published>

[2]Certificate Policy [Optional]:

Policy Identifier =<OID value to be defined by the
CA>
[1]Authority Info Access Method=On-line Certificate
Status Protocol (1.3.6.1.5.5.7.48.1) [Optional]:
Alternative Name: URL=<HTTP URL to the CA OCSP
responder>
Authority Information Access Extension/NO
[2]Authority Info Access Method=Certification
Authority Issuer (1.3.6.1.5.5.7.48.2)
Alternative Name:
URL=<HTTP URL to the end point where the CA
certificate is published>

Key Usage digitalSignature, keyEncipherment Extension/YES

Extended Key Usage clientAuth Extension/NO

Certificate Signing Request (CSR) “Subject” field content or Relative Distinguished Names (RDNs):

CSR Inputs x509 Certificate Field Description Business Term Accepted Input Type of input (Manual /
Automated)
Common x509.subject.common_name Provided by the Taxpayer for Name or Asset Tracking Number for Free text Manual
Name each Solution unit: Unique the Solution Unit
Name or Asset Tracking
Number of the Solution Unit

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 EGS Serial x509.alternative_names Automatically filled and not by Manufacturer or Solution Provider Free text Manual, to be written in
Number the taxpayer: Unique Name, Model or Version and Serial the format "1-… |2-… |3-
(GUID) identification code for the EGS. Number Validate the …"
format "1-...|2-...|3-
Manufacturer serial number for ...."
each solution unit including
1-Manufacturer or Solution
Provider Name|2-Model or
Version|3-SerialNumber
Organization organizationIdentifier (2.5.4.97) VAT Registration Number of VAT or Group VAT Registration 15 digits; begins with Automated (depending
Identifier the Taxpayer (Taxpayer / Number 3 and ends with 3 on solution)
Taxpayer device to provide this
to allow for checking if the OTP
is correctly associated with this
TIN)
Organization x509.subject.organizational_unit The branch name for taxpayers Organization Unit Free text in the case Automated (depending
Unit Name and in case of VAT Groups this of normal taxpayer; on solution).
field should contain the 10-digit in the case of VAT
TIN number of the individual Groups identify this
group member whose device is through the 11th digit
being onboarded of Organization Manual (for VAT Groups)
Identifier being ‘1’.

Run a validation that

the input is a 10-digit
TIN
Organization x509.subject.organization Organization/Taxpayer Name Taxpayer Name Free text Automated (depending
Name on solution)
Country x509.subject.country Name of the country Country Name 2 letter code (ISO Automated (depending
Name 3166 Alpha-2) on solution)

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Invoice Type businessCategory (2.5.4.15) The document type that the Functionality Map 4-digit numerical Manual
Taxpayer’s solution unit will be input using 0 & 1
issuing/generating. It can be mapped to “TSCZ”
one or a combination of
Standard Tax Invoice (T), 0 = False/Not
Simplified Tax Invoice (S), “for supported
future use” (C), “for future use”
(Z). 1= True/Supported

The input should be using the T= Tax invoice

digits 0 & 1 and mapping those (Standard), S =
to “TSCZ” where: Simplified Tax
Invoice, C= “for
0 = False/Not supported future use”, Z = “for
future use”.
1= True/Supported
For example: 1100
For example: 1100 would mean would mean the
the Solution will be generating Solution will be
Standard and Simplified generating Standard
invoices and Simplified
invoices.
Location x509.alternative_names The address of the Branch or Location of Branch or Device or Free text Automated (depending
registeredAddress location where the device or Solution Unit. on solution)
2.5.4.26 solution unit is primarily
situated (could be website Preferably the “Short Address” from
address for e-commerce) Saudi National Address
https://splonline.com.sa/en/national-
address-1/
Industry x509.alternative_names Industry or sector for which the Industry or location Free text Manual
businessCategory device or solution will generate
2.5.4.15 invoices

Table 1: CSR "Subject" field content or RDNs

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2.3 Structure and Format of the Cryptographic Stamp

2.3.1 Introduction
This section provides a guidance on the required fields and the corresponding values constituting the Cryptographic Stamps for XML and PDF/A-3 (with embedded
XML) electronic invoices according to the ETSI standard [EN 319 132-1] and the ETSI standard [EN 319 142-1] respectively.
Note: the guidance provided in this section is meant only to indicate the minimum signature components and any specific values anticipated by ZATCA. Hence, the
taxpayer/vendors shall follow the detailed standard specifications to ensure full compliance signatures with those aforementioned standards.
Taxpayers are free to choose any commercial off the shelf, open source or even develop their own bespoke tool to generate the stamp according to the
aforementioned standards.

2.3.2 Notation for the requirements

The following are key notations on the requirements specified in tables in the rest of this section.
● The column “Elements/Attributes/Services” indicates the name of each component and layout the structure of components where applicable
● The column "Cardinality" indicates the cardinality of the element/attribute/service. Below follow the values indicating the cardinality:
○ 1: exactly one instance
○ 0 or 1: zero or one instance
○ ≥ 0: zero or more instances
○ ≥ 1: one or more instances
● The column "Additional notes and requirements": referencing notes, additional requirements and references to relevant standards

Note: For XAdES, the elements already defined in XMLDSIG [3] appear with the prefix "ds", whereas the new XML elements defined in the present
document appear without prefix

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 2.3.3 Structure of the Cryptographic Stamp in XAdES format

Elements/Attributes/Services Cardinality Additional requirements and notes

Signature 1 The Signature element is the root element of an XML Signature. Implementation
must generate Signature elements as specified in [1]

1. ds:SignedInfo 1 The SignedInfo structure includes the canonicalization algorithm, a signature

algorithm, and the below specified reference URIs.

1.1. ds:CanonicalizationMethod 1 CanonicalizationMethod element specifies the canonicalization algorithm

applied to the SignedInfo element prior to performing signature calculations.
Implementations must support the required canonicalization algorithms
specified in [3].

1.2. ds:SignatureMethod 1 SignatureMethod element specifies the algorithm used for signature generation
and validation. This algorithm identifies all cryptographic functions involved in
the signature operation (e.g. hashing, public key algorithms, MACs, padding,
etc.).

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1.3. ds:Reference ≥2 Reference element specifies a digest algorithm and digest value, and optionally
an identifier of the object being signed and the type of the object. This element
shall have at least the below two occurrences in the signature:
The first ds:Reference element. Its URI attribute references the data object that
has to be
signed. ds:DigestMethod indicates the digest algorithm (sha256 in this case) and
ds:DigestValue contains the base-64 encoded digest value.
The second ds:Reference element. Its URI attribute points to the
SignedProperties element (using the URI attribute) that contains the whole set
of signed properties. ds:DigestMethod indicates the digest algorithm (sha256 in
this case) and ds:DigestValue contains the digest value filtered in base. This
means that the digest value of that SignedProperties is included in ds:SignedInfo
and in consequence signed when this element is signed. This element shall also
include the Type attribute with its value set to:
“http://uri.etsi.org/01903#SignedProperties.”

1.3.1. ds:Transforms 0 or 1 Transforms element specifies the transformations performed prior to digesting.
<ds:Transforms>
<ds:Transform Algorithm="http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-
xpath-19991116">
<ds:XPath>not(//ancestor-or-
self::ext:UBLExtensions)</ds:XPath>
</ds:Transform>
<ds:Transform Algorithm="http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-
xpath-19991116">
<ds:XPath>not(//ancestor-or-self::cac:Signature)</ds:XPath>
</ds:Transform>
<ds:Transform Algorithm="http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-
xpath-19991116">
<ds:XPath>not(//ancestor-or-
self::cac:AdditionalDocumentReference[cbc:ID='QR'])</ds:XPath>
</ds:Transform>

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 <ds:Transform Algorithm="http://www.w3.org/2006/12/xml-
c14n11"/>
</ds:Transforms>

1.4. ds:SignatureValue 1 SignatureValue element contains contains the actual value of the digital
signature; it is always encoded using base64 [RFC2045].

1.5. ds:KeyInfo 1 KeyInfo element contains cryptographic material to verify the signature.

1.5.1. ds:X509Data 1 X509Data element contains an X509Certificate element for the digital certificate
(signing certificates) and all other chain certificates required to build the path up
to a trusted anchor.

1.5.2.1. ds:X509Certificate ≥1 X509Certificate element contains a base64-encoded [X509V3] certificate.

1.6. ds:Object 1 Object element contains three elements with the properties qualifying both the
signature and the signed data object.

1.6.1. QualifyingProperties 1 QualifyingProperties element shall act as a container element for all the
qualifying information that is
added to an XML signature.
The qualifying properties shall be split into qualifying properties that are
cryptographically bound to (i.e. signed by) the XML signature, and qualifying
properties that are not cryptographically bound to (i.e. not signed by) the XML
signature.

1.6.2.1. SignedProperties 1 SignedProperties contains the SignedSignatureProperties element that contains

all the signed properties that qualify the signature.

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 1.6.2.1.1. SignedSignatureProperties 1 SignedSignatureProperties contains all the signed properties that qualify the
signature
(SigningTime, SigningCertificate, SignaturePolicyIdentifier).

1.6.2.1.1.2. signingTime 1 signingTime contains the value of the signing instant when the signature has
been computed.

1.6.2.1.1.2. SigningCertificateV2 1 The SigningCertificateV2 qualifying property shall contain one reference to the
signing digital certificate.
The SigningCertificateV2 shall also contain references to all the certificates
within the signing certificate path, including one reference to the trust anchor.
For each certificate, the SigningCertificateV2 qualifying property shall contain a
digest value together with a
unique identifier of the algorithm that has been used to calculate it.
The first reference in SigningCertificateV2 qualifying property shall be the
reference of the signing certificate.

1.6.2.1.1.3. SignaturePolicyIdentifier 1 The SignaturePolicyIdentifier qualifying property shall contain either an explicit
identifier of a signature
policy (this document).

1.6.2.1.2. SignedDataObjectProperties 1 The SignedDataObjectProperties element shall contain signed qualifying

properties that qualify the signed data object.

1.6.2.1.2.1. DataObjectFormat 1 The DataObjectFormat element provides information that describes the format
of the signed data object. The mandatory ObjectReference attribute MUST
reference the ds:Reference element.

1.6.2.1.2.1.1. MimeType 1 The MimeType element specifies the type of the signed data object. That will be
always “text/xml”

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 2.3.4 Structure of the Cryptographic Stamp in PAdES format

Elements/Attributes/Services Cardinality Additional requirements and notes

SignedData.certificates 1 The SignedData.certificates attribute is a collection of certificates including:

● signing digital certificate;
● in order to facilitate path building, generators shall also include all the
chain certificates required to build the path up to a trusted anchor.

content-type 1 The content-type attribute indicates the type of the signed content.
The content-type attribute shall have value id-data

message-digest 1 The message-digest attribute specifies the message digest of the content being
signed.

signature-policy-identifier 0 or 1 The signature-policy-identifier shall contain an explicit identifier of the signature

policy (this document).

SERVICE: protection of signing certificate

SPO: ESS signing-certificate-v2 1 ● The signing-certificate-v2 attribute shall be as defined in "ESS Update:
Adding CertID Algorithm Agility", IETF RFC 5035 [5], clause 4 "Insert New
Section 5.4.1.1 'Certificate Identification Version 2'"
● The certHash from ESSCertIDv2 is computed over the entire DER encoded
certificate (the signing digital certificate).

Service: provide claimed time of signing

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 SPO: entry with the key M in the Signature 1 ● The time of signing based on the EGS clock.
Dictionary ● Refer to ISO 32000-1 [6], clause 12.8.1

entry with key Contents in the Signature 1 The Content key shall contain a DER-encoded SignedData object as specified in
Dictionary CMS (IETF RFC 5652 [7]) as the PDF signature. This CMS object forms a CAdES
signature described in ETSI EN 319 122-1 [4].

entry with key Filter in the Signature 1 ● The name of the preferred signature handler to use when validating this
Dictionary signature.
● A verifier may substitute a different signature handler, other than that
specified in Filter, when verifying the signature, as long as it supports the
specified SubFilter format.
● Refer to ISO 32000-1 [6], clause 12.8.1

entry with key ByteRange in the Signature 1 ● An array of pairs of integers (starting byte offset, length in bytes) that
Dictionary shall describe the exact byte range for the digest calculation. Refer to ISO
32000-1 [6], clause 12.8.1
● The ByteRange shall cover the entire file, including the Signature
Dictionary but excluding the PDF Signature itself (the entry with key
Contents).

entry with key SubFilter in the Signature 1 ● A name that describes the encoding of the signature value and key
Dictionary information in the signature dictionary. Refer to ISO 32000-1 [6], clause
12.8.1
● The Signature Dictionary shall contain a value of ETSI.CAdES.detached for
the key SubFilter.

Version 1.1 24 / 27
3 Previous invoice hash specification
The hash of the previous invoice is generated by applying the same transform as is used for the cryptographic stamp and as specified in
section 2.3.3 and taking the sha256 algorithm.

4 QR code specifications

4.1 Structure of the QR code

For Electronic Tax Invoices, it is mandatory to generate and print QR code encoded in Base64 format with up to 700 characters that must contain the
fields specified in the below table as per Annex (2) of the Controls, Requirements, Technical Specifications and Procedural Rules for Implementing the
Provisions of the E-Invoicing Regulation.
● The QR code fields shall be encoded in Tag-Length-Value (TLV) format with the tag values specified in the “Tag” column of the Table 2: QR Code
content TLV field definitions.
● The TLV encoding shall be as follows:
○ Tag: the tag value as mentioned above stored in one byte
[for tags 1 to 5]
○ Length: the length of the byte array resulted from the UTF8 encoding of the field value. The length shall be stored in one byte.
○ Value: the byte array resulting from the UTF8 encoding of the field value.
[for tag 6]
● Length: length of hash (SHA256 ) is 32 bytes
● Value: the byte array constituting the value of the field
● The QR code must also include a Cryptographic Stamp as specified in the next page

The order of operations for encoding the QR code shall be the following:
1. Start with values required by the specification below and an empty byte array.
2. For each value construct the Tag, Length, and Value (TLV) tuple by setting the first byte to the Tag from the table below, followed immediately by
the second byte representing the length as an unsigned 8-bit integer, and finally a byte array representing the Value encoded in UTF-8.
3. After constructing the byte array, encode using Base64 to obtain an encoded ASCII string.
4. Finally, create the QR image from the Base64 string.

Version 1.1 25 / 27
Field Tag Enforcement date

Seller’s name 1

VAT registration number of the seller 2

Time stamp of the invoice (date and time) in accordance with ISO 8601 (example 3 from 4th December
2022-02-21T12:13:57Z) 2021

Invoice total (with VAT) 4

VAT total 5

Hash of XML invoice 6

ECDSA signature of the XML Hash 7

ECDSA public key extracted from the signing private key 8 from 1st January
2023

For Simplified Tax Invoices and their associated notes, the ECDSA signature of the 9
cryptographic stamp’s issued by ZATCA’s technical CA

Table 3: QR Code content TLV field definitions

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5 EGS Authentication using OAuth 2 Basic Authentication

ZATCA is going to expose different types of APIs during the integration phase, these APIs are going to be used to integrate the taxpayers’ EGSs with
ZATCA E-invoicing platform for invoice clearance and reporting purposes.
ZATCA is going to leverage OAuth 2.0 to secure its APIs, particularly “OAuth 2 Basic Authentication” as specified in RFC6749
The Client ID will be the digital certificate issued as part of the onboarding process
The Secret Value will additionally be issued as part of the onboarding process
It is important that the secret value is stored securely and not disclosed to third parties

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