The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on simpler, innovation-friendly rules for artificial intelligence (AI).
The Commission proposed the Digital Omnibus on AI only five months ago as part of the EU's simplification agenda to boost Europe's competitiveness. This will make the implementation of the AI Act for EU businesses easier while maintaining its benefits for European society, safety and fundamental rights.
Today's agreement sets a clear implementation timeline for the rules governing high-risk AI systems. Rules for systems used in certain high-risk areas — including biometrics, critical infrastructure, education, employment, migration, asylum and border control — will apply from 2 December 2027. For systems integrated into products such as lifts or toys, the rules will apply from 2 August 2028. This sequencing will help ensure that technical standards and other support tools are in place before the rules start to apply.
The agreement also strengthens protection for citizens. It prohibits AI systems that generate non-consensual sexually explicit and intimate content or child sexual abuse material, such as AI 'nudification' apps.
For businesses, the agreement introduces simpler rules and clearer governance. Certain privileges for small and medium-sized enterprises are extended to small mid-cap companies. The interplay between the AI Act and EU product safety laws, in particular the Machinery Regulation, was also clarified, avoiding duplication between sectoral and AI rules. More innovators will also gain access to regulatory sandboxes, including an EU-level sandbox, to test their AI solutions in real-world conditions. The Commission AI Office's enforcement powers will be strengthened to support oversight of certain AI systems, including those built on general-purpose models and those embedded in very large online platforms and very large search engines.
This agreement will deliver safer and simpler rules for both citizens and businesses. The Digital Omnibus on AI also complements existing support initiatives, including the AI Act Service desk and the upcoming guidelines on the classification of high-risk systems and transparency obligations.
Next steps
The European Parliament and the Council must now formally adopt the political agreement. Upon adoption, the amendments will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force three days later.
Background
The Digital Omnibus on AI was proposed on 19 November 2025, aiming to simplify the AI Act while maintaining its level of protection. It was published together with another digital omnibus that streamlines rules on cybersecurity and data, complemented by a Data Union Strategy to unlock high-quality data for AI and European Business Wallets. The package represents the seventh omnibus proposal as part of the Commission's efforts to simplify EU rules by making business in the EU simpler, less costly and more efficient.
