code: @Override
      public Date getConvertedValue() {
          String dateStr = this.getFirstValue();
  
          if (dateStr != null && !dateStr.trim().isEmpty()) {
              dateStr = dateStr.trim();
              try {
                  return dateFormat.parse(dateStr);
              } catch (ParseException ex) {
                  throw new UniformException(String.format("Could not parse date %s", dateStr), ex);
              }
          }
  
          return null;
      }
docs: Returns the value of this element as a Date, automatically converting the value string with the configured date format.
  If the value is not empty and its format is incorrect, an exception will be thrown.
  @return Date