What's inside
16 chapters that take you from the framework to a documented evidence base
The risk-based framework
How the Act sorts every system into one of four tiers — and what each tier means for you. Decision trees walk you from a plain description to a defensible classification.
The eight Annex III areas
All eight high-risk domains explained with real-world examples, so you can tell at a glance whether a system lands inside the high-risk perimeter.
Roles & obligations
Deployer, Provider, Importer and Distributor compared side by side — who owes what, and how obligations shift when you place a system under your own name.
Documentation & evidence
What a complete file looks like: Annex IV technical documentation, the Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment, the EU Declaration of Conformity, and the records that back them.
Article 6(3) exceptions
When a listed system is not high-risk after all — the four exception conditions, the self-assessment record you must keep, and the Article 6(4) authority notification.
Timeline & enforcement
What applies when, from entry into force through full enforcement, plus the penalty bands — so you can sequence the work against real regulatory dates.
Why start with the handbook
Plain English, not legalese
Every article is translated into language a busy team can act on — with practical examples rather than recitals.
Built around the December 2027 deadline
High-risk obligations apply from December 2027 (moved from August 2026 by the 2026 Digital Omnibus). The handbook helps you sequence the work now.
Checklists you can use today
Each chapter ends with a short checklist so you can turn reading into a documented next step.
Deployer-first
Most EU organisations are Deployers, not Providers. The handbook prioritises Deployer obligations under Article 26.
Mapped to the regulation
Every claim is anchored to a specific article, recital or Annex — so your file points back to the source.
A path to automation
When you're ready to stop tracking by hand, the Veritome platform picks up exactly where the handbook leaves off.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this handbook for?
Anyone responsible for AI compliance in an EU organisation — compliance, legal, risk, and product leads — whether you deploy third-party AI tools or build your own systems.
Is it really free?
Yes, completely free. We ask for your email so we can send occasional compliance updates and tips — you can unsubscribe at any time.
How long is it?
39 pages across 16 chapters, covering classification, obligations, documentation, exceptions, and the enforcement timeline in plain English.
How is this different from the Veritome platform?
The handbook is the reading. The Veritome platform is the doing: it automates classification, generates the exact obligations that apply, and assembles verifiable documentation from your live data.
When does the EU AI Act apply?
Prohibited practices have been banned since February 2025; high-risk obligations apply from 2 December 2027 (postponed from August 2026 by the 2026 Digital Omnibus).
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