---
title: "Purchase requisition"
description: "What is a purchase requisition? An internal request to buy, approved before a supplier is contacted. Learn what it contains and how it differs from a PO."
url: https://1flux.ai/glossary/purchase-requisition
last_updated: 2026-10-10
---

[Procurement and inventory](https://1flux.ai/glossary#procurement-and-inventory)

# Purchase requisition

What is a purchase requisition, and why approve the need before anyone contacts a supplier?

Glossary Updated 10 October 2026

Definition

A purchase requisition is an internal request asking the purchasing team to buy goods or services, approved before any supplier is contacted or order placed.

## What is a purchase requisition used for?

A requisition separates the need from the purchase. The requester says what’s needed, how much, by when and why; a manager approves the spend; a buyer then sources it. That split stops staff committing the company to suppliers on their own. Common purposes are replenishing stock, buying for a specific customer order and internal use.

Example: a storekeeper raises a requisition for 40 rolls of copper pipe needed by the 15th; the branch manager approves it and the buyer sends a [request for quotation](https://1flux.ai/glossary/request-for-quotation) to suppliers.

A requisition isn’t a [purchase order](https://1flux.ai/glossary/purchase-order) and creates no commitment with any supplier. Follow the whole process in the [procure-to-pay guide](https://1flux.ai/guides/procure-to-pay).

In 1flux

Requisitions have three purposes (Replenish stock, Customer demand linked to a sales order, Internal use) and a single approval step. Once approved, a requisition prints as an RFQ PDF that buyers can send to suppliers. [See requisitions and quote comparison](https://1flux.ai/products/purchasing/requisitions)

Related

## Keep exploring

### [Request for quotation](https://1flux.ai/glossary/request-for-quotation)

A request asking suppliers to price specific items and terms.

### [Quote comparison](https://1flux.ai/glossary/quote-comparison)

Supplier offers side by side, to choose one and record why.

### [Purchase order](https://1flux.ai/glossary/purchase-order)

A buyer's formal, numbered order to a supplier.

### [Requisitions and quote comparison](https://1flux.ai/products/purchasing/requisitions)

Requisitions with a purpose, RFQ PDFs, recorded quotes and awards with a reason.

Last updated 10 October 2026