The implementing regulation on AI regulatory sandboxes has been published: free of charge for SMEs and start-ups, with exit reports recognised across the EU

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2487 was published in the Official Journal on 11 November 2026. Adopted on the basis of Article 58(1) of the AI Act, it lays down common rules for the establishment, development, implementation, operation and supervision of AI regulatory sandboxes. It enters into force on 1 December 2026. Under Article 57(1), Member States must ensure that their competent authorities establish at least one AI regulatory sandbox at national level, operational by 2 August 2027. It may also be established jointly with other Member States, and the obligation may also be fulfilled by participating in an existing sandbox in so far as that provides an equivalent level of national coverage.

Applications may be made by a provider or prospective provider of an AI system that has not yet been placed on the market or put into service, or that will be substantially modified, including in a Member State other than the one where it is established. SMEs, including start-ups, have priority access and receive regulatory guidance, advice and supervision services free of charge, except for exceptional costs; other participants may be charged the full costs. The competent authority must decide on selection within three months of receiving a complete application. The objectives, timeline, obligations supervised and any testing in real-world conditions are set out in the sandbox plan.

Once participation ends, the authority issues written proof and, within 45 working days at the latest, an exit report. Market surveillance authorities and notified bodies in any Member State must recognise them as documentation of the activities carried out; they do not, however, have the effect of a declaration of conformity under Article 47. In Czechia, under the Government's bill, the sandbox is to be established by the Office for Technical Standardisation, Metrology and State Testing (ÚNMZ) and operated by the Czech Standardisation Agency.