Article 56 establishes a mechanism for developing codes of practice for GPAI model providers. These codes serve as a practical pathway for demonstrating compliance with the Article 53 and Article 55 obligations.
How Codes of Practice Work
The AI Office facilitates the drawing-up of codes of practice through a multi-stakeholder process involving GPAI providers, downstream providers, civil society, academia, and national competent authorities. Once approved by the Commission, adherence to a code of practice creates a presumption of conformity with the corresponding obligations (Article 56(8)). Providers may choose not to adhere to any code of practice, in which case they must demonstrate compliance through alternative means.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 — Article 56(8)
“Compliance with a code of practice shall be considered as a demonstration of conformity with the corresponding obligations set out in this Chapter, including Articles 53 and 55, until a common specification or harmonised standard covering those obligations is published by the Commission.”
- Codes of practice are voluntary but have legal effect when approved by the Commission
- The GPAI Code of Practice (July 2025) provides the initial compliance pathway for GPAI providers
- Non-adherence to a code of practice shifts the burden of demonstrating compliance to the provider
- Codes of practice will eventually be supplemented or replaced by harmonised standards
- The AI Office may issue notices of non-compliance to providers who deviate from an approved code