On 7 May 2026, the Council Presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement to simplify and streamline parts of the EU rules on artificial intelligence (AI) under the EU’s simplification agenda. The full press release is available on this link.

The agreement adjusts timelines for certain high‑risk AI system obligations, aiming to ensure legal certainty, smoother implementation, and reduced administrative burden for companies. New extensions for the establishment of national AI regulatory sandboxes and shorter transition periods for transparency requirements were introduced.

The deal also strengthens safeguards, including new prohibitions on particularly harmful AI practices, while maintaining the overall objectives of the AI legislative framework.