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The European Commission has released a final draft of a voluntary Code of Practice aimed at helping companies align with the European Union’s forthcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, with a core focus on transparency, copyright, safety, and security.
Unveiled on Thursday, the code is designed as a transitional tool for thousands of firms seeking clarity on compliance obligations ahead of the AI Act’s full enforcement in 2026. Although the code will officially come into effect on August 2, 2025, it will not be legally binding until a year later.
While participation in the code is optional, the Commission has stressed that companies opting out—some of which include major global tech firms—will forfeit the regulatory certainty that comes with being a signatory.
The guidance covers transparency and copyright obligations for all general-purpose AI model providers, while the safety and security sections specifically target developers of advanced, high-risk AI systems.
EU Commissioner for Digital Affairs, Henna Virkkunen, emphasized the collaborative nature of the code’s development, noting that it was “co-designed by AI stakeholders” to reflect industry needs and expectations.
“I invite all general-purpose AI model providers to adhere to the Code,” Virkkunen said. “Doing so will secure them a clear, collaborative route to compliance with the EU’s AI Act.”
The Code of Practice is part of the EU’s broader efforts to ensure responsible AI innovation while safeguarding fundamental rights and preventing misuse of emerging technologies. It also complements the EU’s phased approach to implementing the AI Act, which is widely regarded as one of the world’s most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence.
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