Article 6
Classification rules for high-risk AI systems
High riskApplicable from August 2, 2026
Applies to: Provider
Article 6 sets out when an AI system counts as high-risk: as a safety component of a product covered by Annex I harmonised legislation, or through the use cases listed in Annex III.
Key points
- Two routes to high-risk: Annex I product safety and Annex III use cases
- Annex III covers areas such as employment, education, credit, and essential services
- A derogation exists where the system performs a narrow preparatory task
- Providers relying on the derogation must document their assessment and register the system
- Publishing AI product photos in a shop is normally outside high-risk
This page is a plain-language summary for orientation only. It is not legal advice — the binding text is Regulation (EU) 2024/1689.