The EU AI Act introduces the first comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. For many companies — especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — the regulation can appear complex and difficult to translate into practical steps. This AI Act Compliance Checklist for SMEs provides a clear operational starting point.
It turns the requirements of the EU AI Act into a structured list of actions that companies can follow when assessing their AI systems and preparing for compliance.
Why SMEs Need a Practical AI Act Compliance Tool
The EU AI Act applies not only to companies that develop AI systems, but also to organisations that use or deploy AI tools in their operations.
This includes:
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- AI-based recruitment tools
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- customer service chatbots
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- automated decision systems
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- predictive analytics tools
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- generative AI systems used in business processes
Companies must determine:
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- whether an AI system is high-risk
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- whether it falls under transparency obligations
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- whether prohibited practices may apply
The checklist helps organisations systematically evaluate these questions.
What the AI Act Compliance Checklist Covers
The downloadable checklist translates the regulation into a structured workflow covering key compliance areas.
It includes practical steps such as:
AI system inventory
Mapping all AI systems used within the organisation.
Risk classification
Identifying whether systems fall under prohibited, high-risk, limited-risk or minimal-risk categories.
Governance and documentation
Ensuring proper documentation, data governance and internal oversight.
Transparency obligations
Understanding disclosure requirements for AI systems interacting with humans or generating synthetic content.
Operational compliance
Preparing for conformity assessments, monitoring and incident reporting where required.
Who Should Use This Checklist
This tool is designed for:
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- SME founders and executives
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- compliance officers
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- legal and governance teams
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- technology leaders implementing AI systems
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- consultants advising companies on EU AI regulation
It provides a practical starting framework, not legal advice.
Download the AI Act Compliance Checklist
Use this checklist to structure your organisation’s preparation for the EU AI Act.
The tool includes:
✓ step-by-step compliance tasks
✓ explanation of regulatory requirements
✓ SME-specific considerations
✓ space to track progress and notes
This practical checklist helps SMEs:
✓ Map their AI systems
✓ Classify AI risk levels under the EU AI Act
✓ Identify prohibited AI practices
✓ Prepare for high-risk AI obligations
✓ Implement transparency and governance requirements
Download the checklist and start structuring your AI Act compliance today.
Format: Excel template (.xlsx)
Includes:
✓ AI system inventory template
✓ risk classification framework
✓ compliance task tracker
✓ SME implementation notes
The checklist includes Status and Notes fields so companies can track implementation progress and document compliance decisions internally.
