Guidelines on the implementation of the transparency obligations for certain AI systems under Article 50 of the AI Act — C(2026) 5054 final, Annex

(1) Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence and amending certain regulations (‘the AI Act’) entered into force on 1 August 2024 (1). The AI Act lays down harmonised rules for the placing on the market, putting into service, and use of artificial intelligence (‘AI’) in the Union (2). Its aim is to promote innovation in and the uptake of trustworthy AI, while ensuring a high level of protection of health, safety and fundamental rights in the Union, including democracy and the rule of law.

(2) The AI Act follows a risk-based approach, classifying AI systems into four different risk categories, one of which is AI systems posing transparency risks that are subject to the obligations laid down in Article 50 AI Act. These transparency obligations apply two years after the entry into force of the AI Act, i.e. as from 2 August 2026.

(3) Pursuant to Article 96(1)(d) AI Act, these Commission Guidelines are issued with the aim to serve as practical guidance to assist competent authorities, as well as providers and deployers of AI systems, in ensuring compliance with the transparency obligations under Article 50 AI Act in a consistent, effective, proportionate and uniform manner.

(4) The drafting of these Guidelines was informed by input from a variety of stakeholders collected during a broad consultation organised by the Commission and input from the Member States in the AI Board as well as stakeholder input on the draft guidelines that were published for consultation.

(5) These Guidelines are non-binding. Any authoritative interpretation of the AI Act may ultimately only be given by the Court of Justice of the European Union (‘CJEU’).