Regulation guide

EU AI Act

European Union · (EU) 2024/1689, amended by (EU) 2026/1744

Phasing in
Last reviewed: September 2026

In brief

The EU’s law on artificial intelligence sorts AI uses by risk and sets duties for the companies that provide and deploy AI systems. It reaches companies outside the EU when their AI is placed on the EU market or its output is used in the EU. The rules phase in between 2025 and 2030; the Digital Omnibus of 2026 moved the high-risk dates.

Key dates

  1. Original prohibited practices ban and AI literacy duty apply
  2. General-purpose AI model obligations, governance and penalty rules apply
  3. General application: most remaining rules apply, including the Article 50 transparency duties, and enforcement starts
  4. New bans on AI-generated non-consensual intimate imagery and child sexual abuse material apply; Article 50(2) marking transition ends for generative AI systems placed on the market before 2 August 2026
  5. General-purpose AI models placed on the market before 2 August 2025 must comply; every Member State must have an AI regulatory sandbox in operation
  6. Rules for high-risk AI systems listed in Annex III apply
  7. Rules for high-risk AI in products covered by Annex I apply
  8. High-risk AI systems already on the market and intended for use by public authorities must comply

Official source →

General information, not legal advice. The official texts prevail.

The full guide covers who it applies to, the key obligations, what to do now and all official sources. It is for members of the German Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong.

For Chamber members

This part of the platform is for member companies of the German Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong. Sign in with your member account to continue.

No account yet? Request member access or join the Chamber.

Loading…