EU AI Act Article 62: the support measures for SMEs and start-ups, and how to use them

Last updated 23 Oct 2026 · European Union

Short answer. Article 62 of the AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) requires member states to: give SMEs, including start-ups, with a registered office or branch in the EU priority access to AI regulatory sandboxes (if they meet the eligibility conditions); organise awareness and training on applying the Act tailored to SMEs; use or set up dedicated communication channels to answer SME questions; and help SMEs take part in standardisation. Conformity assessment fees for SMEs must be reduced in proportion to their size and market size. The Commission's AI Office also provides standardised templates and an information platform. Separately, Article 99 sets fines for SMEs at the lower of the percentage or fixed amount.

What to do with this

Measure	What a small business can do
Sandbox priority access (Art 57-62)	If you build or adapt an AI system, ask your national competent authority when its sandbox opens and what the entry criteria are
Awareness and training	Use national authority and AI Office material for your Article 4 AI literacy records
Communication channel	Send specific questions (for example: am I a provider or deployer?) and keep the answer on file
Reduced fees	Relevant if you need third-party conformity assessment for a high-risk system

Common mistakes

Thinking SMEs are exempt. Article 62 eases the path; it does not remove obligations such as Article 4 AI literacy or Article 50 transparency.
Waiting for the sandbox to start work. Most SME deployers do not need a sandbox; they need an inventory of AI tools and their role in each.
Not checking the national authority. Each member state designates its own authorities; sandbox timing differs.

Checklist

List the AI tools you use and your role (provider or deployer)
Find your national AI Act authority and its SME channel
Record staff AI literacy steps (Art 4)
If you build AI: check sandbox eligibility

Frequently asked questions

Does the AI Act exempt SMEs?

No. It keeps the obligations but adds support: priority sandbox access, training, a dedicated communication channel and reduced conformity assessment fees (Article 62), plus lower fines for SMEs (Article 99).

What is an AI regulatory sandbox?

A controlled framework set up by a national competent authority where providers can develop and test AI systems under supervision for a limited time (Articles 57 to 61).

Where is Article 62 published?

In Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 on EUR-Lex.

Official sources

Not legal advice. This is a free explainer of the AI Act text; dates and guidance can change, so check EUR-Lex and your national authority. Last checked 23 Oct 2026.

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