SEPA
FF01
Invalid file format
Category: Agent & Format R-type: Reject
SCT
Applies
SCT Inst
Applies
SDD Core
Applies
SDD B2B
Applies
Retryable
Yes, after fix
Generated by
Debtor bank or clearing infrastructure — a schema-level rejection before the message is processed further.
ISO 20022 definition
File Format incomplete or invalid.
Typical cause
The message does not conform to the ISO 20022 schema — malformed XML, invalid mandate reference format, or a missing mandatory field.
What to do about it
Fix the message data and re-validate against the ISO 20022 schema before resubmission.
Rulebook note
Same meaning across all four rulebooks — a general schema-validation failure, not scheme-specific.
Confidence: high.
Sourced from PaymentBrief's SEPA R-transaction reference article, cross-verified against ISO 20022 external code sets and EPC guidance documents. Reason-code applicability and timing windows vary by rulebook version and bank handling — verify against your bank or PSP before acting.
Full reference
SEPA Return and Reject Codes: The R-Transaction Reference