✓ Low compliance impact for SMEs
WHAT THE ARTICLE IS ABOUT
AI Act integrated into the main motor vehicle type-approval framework
Article 107 amends the EU’s primary motor vehicle type-approval regulation to ensure AI systems in cars, vans, and trucks are subject to AI Act requirements. Given the automotive sector’s rapid adoption of AI for safety-critical functions — autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping, driver monitoring — this is one of the most practically significant of the amendment articles.
WHAT IT SAYS
Motor vehicle regulation updated to integrate AI Act compliance
- Regulation (EU) 2018/858 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles is amended to include AI Act requirements for AI systems in vehicles
- Where AI systems are safety components of motor vehicles, AI Act requirements are assessed as part of the vehicle type-approval procedure
- The amendment covers passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and heavy trucks incorporating AI safety systems
- The existing market surveillance infrastructure for motor vehicles extends to cover AI Act compliance monitoring
WHO IS AFFECTED
Automotive manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers, and automotive AI providers
- Vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) incorporating AI safety systems
- Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers developing AI components
- AI software providers developing automotive AI systems
- National type-approval authorities and market surveillance bodies
WHAT IT MEANS FOR SMES
The most commercially significant amendment for automotive AI SMEs
- If you develop AI software or components for the automotive sector — driver monitoring systems, ADAS, predictive safety features — this amendment directly affects your compliance framework
- The automotive supply chain is highly regulated; AI Act requirements integrated into type-approval mean your AI component must comply as part of the vehicle’s overall certification
- AI providers selling into automotive OEMs should understand that their compliance obligations may be assessed as part of the OEM’s type-approval process rather than independently
- The automotive AI market is large enough that SME AI providers may realistically participate — this amendment is worth reading carefully if you are or plan to be in this sector
