Council adopts AI Act simplification regulation

The Council of the EU has given its final approval to a new regulation designed to simplify and streamline certain rules on artificial intelligence. The measure forms part of the EU’s “Omnibus VII” simplification package and amends the implementation framework for harmonised AI rules under the AI Act.

The adopted regulation introduces a fixed delayed timeline for high-risk AI requirements. According to the Council, the application date will be 2 December 2027 for stand-alone high-risk AI systems and 2 August 2028 for high-risk AI systems embedded in products. The regulation also adds a prohibition on AI practices involving the generation of non-consensual sexual or intimate content and AI-generated child sexual abuse material, with certain bans applying from December 2026.

The measure also postpones the deadline for national competent authorities to establish AI regulatory sandboxes until 2 August 2027, shortens the grace period for transparency solutions for artificially generated content to three months, and sets a new deadline of 2 December 2026. It clarifies the role of the AI Office in supervising AI systems based on general-purpose AI models where the same provider develops both the model and the system, while preserving national authority competence in specific areas such as law enforcement, border management, judicial authorities and financial institutions.

For organisations developing, deploying or integrating AI systems, the regulation may affect implementation planning, product compliance timelines and governance arrangements. Providers of high-risk AI systems, manufacturers of AI-enabled products, legal and compliance teams, product teams and risk functions should assess whether the revised dates and sector-specific clarifications change their AI Act readiness plans. Organisations should also monitor the forthcoming publication in the Official Journal of the EU, as the act will enter into force on the third day after publication.

Why it matters

The regulation changes the practical timetable for important parts of the AI Act and addresses overlaps between the AI Act and sectoral product legislation. This is especially relevant for sectors such as medical devices, toys, lifts, watercraft and machinery, where AI-specific requirements may interact with existing harmonised EU product rules. The Council says the new framework is intended to provide greater legal certainty and support more harmonised implementation across the EU.

What to watch

The next step is publication of the legislative act in the Official Journal of the EU, after which it will enter into force on the third day following publication. Organisations should watch for the final legal text, implementing acts addressing overlaps with sectoral legislation, Commission guidance for economic operators of high-risk AI systems covered by sectoral harmonisation law, and national preparations for AI regulatory sandboxes before the revised 2 August 2027 deadline.

Source: Council of the European Union