AI omnibus published: machinery moves to a sectoral approach, high-risk rules postponed

2026-07-24 · Publisher : Union européenne · Domain : Industry 4.0 & 5.0

Regulation (EU) 2026/1744, in force on 27 July 2026, amends the AI Act: the Machinery Regulation moves from Section A to Section B of Annex I, and high-risk rules are pushed to 2 December 2027 (Annex III) and 2 August 2028 (AI embedded in products).

What changes

  • Adopted on 8 July 2026, published in the OJ and in force on 27 July 2026.
  • The Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 moves from Section A to Section B of the AI Act's Annex I.
  • High-risk AI requirements to be built into the Machinery Regulation via delegated acts applying by 2 August 2028.
  • Annex III high-risk on 2 December 2027; AI embedded in Annex I products on 2 August 2028.
  • Real-world testing outside sandboxes allowed (new Article 60a).

### Background Adopted on 8 July 2026 and published in the Official Journal in July, Regulation (EU) **2026/1744**, the **AI omnibus**, enters into force on **27 July 2026**, three days after publication. It amends the AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) to simplify its implementation, following the political agreement of 7 May 2026 (press release IP/26/1024). ### Timeline - **19 November 2025**: proposal as part of the digital omnibus. - **7 May 2026**: political agreement between Parliament and Council. - **27 July 2026**: entry into force. - **14 January 2027**: Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 applies, replacing Directive 2006/42/EC (reminder). - **2 December 2027**: high-risk rules for Annex III systems (biometrics, critical infrastructure, employment, education…), instead of 2 August 2026. - **2 August 2028**: high-risk rules for AI embedded in Annex I products (instead of 2 August 2027), and deadline for delegated acts building AI requirements into the Machinery Regulation. ### Why it matters This is the most direct change for machine builders: the **Machinery Regulation** moves from Section A to **Section B** of the AI Act's Annex I. Safety AI in a machine no longer falls directly under the AI Act; its requirements (risk management, data, human oversight…) will be built into the Machinery Regulation through delegated acts amending its Annex III. Manufacturers keep a single CE conformity framework. Until dedicated standards exist, they may rely on AI Act harmonised standards for presumption of conformity. Member States may also allow real-world testing outside sandboxes (Article 60a). ### Key takeaway The omnibus avoids a double AI Act and Machinery Regulation regime and gives machine builders one more year to meet safety AI requirements.

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Tags : Réglementation, UE, IA, Machines, Normes