EU AI Act: Council Adopts Amendments and Postpones Deadlines
The Council of the European Union has adopted amendments to the EU AI Act, involving adjusted deadlines for the implementation of requirements for high-risk systems.
What happened?
On 29 June, the Council of the European Union formally adopted amendments to the EU AI Act. This follows the European Parliament's approval on 16 June. The amendments are the first significant changes since the regulation was adopted earlier in 2024 and are based on a provisional political agreement reached on 7 May 2026. The legislative act will be published shortly and enters into force three days after publication.
Key facts
”On June 29, the Council of the European Union (EU) formally adopted the amendments to the EU AI Act as part of the Digital Omnibus on AI simplification package, following the European Parliament’s endorsement on June 16.”
”These amendments represent the first substantive changes to the AI Act since its adoption in 2024, building on the provisional political agreement reached by EU co-legislators on May 7, 2026.”
”The most significant change is the postponement of high-risk AI system obligations: December 2, 2027 — High-risk AI systems listed in Annex III [...] August 2, 2028 — High-risk AI systems listed in Annex I”
Why it matters
These amendments are central for organisations developing or using AI systems, particularly those classified as high-risk. The new deadlines aim to give stakeholders more time to adapt to the extensive requirements. The regulation is designed to ensure that AI systems are developed and used in a safe and ethical manner within the EU.
Who is affected?
The changes primarily affect developers and users of AI systems within the European Union, especially those handling so-called high-risk systems. This includes companies and public bodies in sectors such as recruitment, credit scoring, law enforcement, education, and medical technology. National authorities responsible for establishing regulatory sandboxes are also affected.
Impact on the EU
The EU AI Act is a pioneering piece of legislation setting a global standard for AI regulation. The now-adopted amendments and adjusted deadlines apply directly to all member states, including those that have not yet demonstrated full alignment.
What else you should know
Among the most significant changes are the adjusted implementation dates for high-risk system requirements. For example, the deadline for certain high-risk systems in Annex III is moved to 2 December 2027, and for systems in Annex I to 2 August 2028.
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