01 / Signal
The European Commission’s current implementation pages identify 2 August 2026 as the AI Act’s general application date, subject to specific exceptions and an evolving implementation timeline. Transparency duties under Article 50 and full Commission enforcement of applicable general-purpose AI obligations are central near-term signals.
02 / Why it matters
Many organisations can name the tools they use but cannot yet show who approved each use, whether they act as provider or deployer, what users are told, how output is reviewed, where evidence is stored or what happens when a model or use case changes.
03 / Decision questions
- 01Which AI systems and use cases are actually in production?
- 02What role does the organisation hold for each system?
- 03Which disclosure, marking, oversight and documentation duties may apply?
- 04Who owns the evidence and the re-assessment trigger?
- 05Which uses should be paused, narrowed or re-sequenced before August?
04 / Controlled next step
Build an operating register connecting each use case to role, risk classification, owner, disclosure, human oversight, supplier evidence and review date. The policy then describes a real control system.
Sources
The timeline and requirements continue to evolve. Verify current law and obtain specialist advice for the relevant facts.