EU AI Act Compliance
for Enterprises
The EU AI Act is the first comprehensive AI regulation. It entered into force on August 1, 2024, and its requirements are phasing in now. Here is what it means for organizations deploying AI, and how to operationalize compliance.
What is the EU AI Act?
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, commonly known as the EU AI Act, is the first binding legal framework for artificial intelligence. Adopted by the European Parliament in March 2024 and published in the Official Journal on July 12, 2024, it establishes a risk-based classification system for AI systems and imposes obligations on both providers (developers) and deployers (organizations using AI).
The Act has extraterritorial scope. If your AI systems produce outputs used in the EU, or if they affect EU residents, the Act applies regardless of where your organization is headquartered.
Risk-based classification
The Act categorizes AI systems into four risk tiers. Your obligations depend on where your AI tools fall.
Unacceptable Risk
ProhibitedBanned outright. Includes social scoring by governments, real-time biometric mass surveillance in public spaces (with narrow law enforcement exceptions), and manipulative AI that exploits vulnerabilities.
High Risk
Heavy regulationSubject to strict requirements: conformity assessments, technical documentation, human oversight, accuracy and robustness standards, and incident reporting. Covers AI used in employment decisions, creditworthiness, education, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure.
Limited Risk
Transparency requiredTransparency obligations. Chatbots must disclose they are AI. AI-generated content (deepfakes, synthetic text) must be labeled. Users must know when they are interacting with an AI system.
Minimal Risk
Voluntary codesNo mandatory requirements. Covers AI in spam filters, video games, and similar low-risk applications. Voluntary codes of conduct encouraged.
Compliance deadlines
Requirements are phasing in over a three-year period. Some are already in effect.
until full enforcement
EU AI Act enters into force
In effectProhibited AI practices take effect
In effectGeneral-purpose AI model rules apply
In effectFull requirements for high-risk AI systems
UpcomingObligations for deployers
If your organization uses AI systems, you are a deployer. Article 26 defines what deployers must do, especially for high-risk systems.
Register high-risk AI systems in the EU database before deployment
Ensure human oversight measures are implemented and followed
Monitor AI system performance and log outputs as required
Report serious incidents to market surveillance authorities
Conduct fundamental rights impact assessments for high-risk systems in public sector use
Maintain technical documentation and records of AI system use
Inform employees when they are subject to AI-based decision-making
Map requirements to capabilities
Each core obligation under the EU AI Act maps to a specific Clarier feature.
Registration & Transparency
AI Inventory
Maintain a complete catalog of every AI system in use, with classification by risk tier, purpose, and deployment context. The foundation for Article 26 compliance.
Human Oversight
Approval Workflows
Enforce structured review and approval for AI deployments. Route decisions to appropriate stakeholders with full context before systems go live.
Risk Assessment
Vendor Research Reports
Automated vendor assessments cover data handling, model transparency, security posture, and regulatory compliance. Map directly to conformity assessment inputs.
Documentation & Audit
Audit Trail
Immutable record of every decision, approval, risk assessment, and change. Provides the documentation trail regulators expect.
Identify Unregistered Systems
Shadow AI Discovery
Detect AI tools adopted without approval through identity provider logs, network traffic, endpoint agents, and DLP integrations. You cannot register what you do not know about.
Demonstrate Compliance
Executive Reporting
Board-ready reports showing AI inventory status, risk posture, approval coverage, and compliance gaps. Designed for regulatory inquiries and internal governance reviews.
Common questions
Sources & further reading
Primary sources and official references cited on this page.
Start with visibility into your AI landscape.
You cannot classify what you have not cataloged. Book a demo to see how Clarier builds the foundation for EU AI Act compliance.