Meridian › Archive › 2026-08-19
The EU AI Act deadline for competent authorities to establish AI regulatory sandboxes has been postponed by one year, from 2 August 2026 to 2 August 2027.
National competent authorities responsible for AI oversight, and providers seeking controlled testing environments.
Sandboxes are meant to let providers test AI systems under regulatory oversight while meeting EU rules; the extra year delays that controlled-testing option for innovators.
Authorities and providers relying on sandbox access for testing should discuss with their advisers whether alternative compliance pathways are needed before 2027.
New sandbox establishment deadline: 2 August 2027 (previously 2 August 2026).
Source: Primary source on file — read in the original, not from coverage.