The Commission approved Regulation (EU) 2026/2487 on Nov 10, 2026, setting common rules for AI regulatory sandboxes aimed at fostering innovation among small and medium‑sized enterprises and new ventures.

The European Commission has officially adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/2487, establishing a unified framework for artificial intelligence regulatory sandboxes aimed at small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

Key Features of the New AI Sandbox Regulation

The regulation sets out common criteria for the creation, operation, and oversight of AI sandboxes across member states, ensuring that innovators can test emerging technologies under a harmonised set of rules.

Participating entities will benefit from streamlined approval processes, reduced administrative burdens, and clear guidelines on data protection, transparency, and accountability during the testing phase.

Support for SMEs and Startups

SMEs and new ventures will receive targeted assistance, including access to funding pools, mentorship programmes, and technical resources provided by national authorities and EU‑backed innovation hubs.

The framework also encourages cross‑border collaboration, allowing companies to pilot AI solutions in multiple jurisdictions without duplicating compliance efforts.

Implementation Timeline

Member states are required to transpose the regulation into national law by March 2027, with the first sandbox pilots expected to launch in the second half of 2027.

  • Establish national coordinating bodies for sandbox oversight
  • Create a shared EU‑wide registry of sandbox participants
  • Define standardised metrics for risk assessment and performance evaluation

For ongoing coverage of AI policy developments, see the AI coverage on uxc.news.

Read the full text of Regulation (EU) 2026/2487 on EUR‑Lex publication of Regulation (EU) 2026/2487.

Track coverage on Momentum · More in AI.