European AI Standards - Technical Standardization and Implementation Challenges under the EU AI Act

32 Pages Posted: 26 Feb 2025 Last revised: 24 Mar 2025

See all articles by Robert Kilian

Robert Kilian

Humboldt University Berlin; KI Bundesverband

Linda Jäck

General Catalyst

Dominik Ebel

Heidelberg University

Date Written: February 26, 2025

Abstract

Harmonized standards are the cornerstone of efficient EU AI Act compliance. This paper presents one of the first systematic analyses of European technical and soon to be harmonized standardization for organizations providing AI systems. Based on in-depth qualitative interviews with 23 leading European organisations developing AI applications across different sectors, such as Mistral and Helsing, and providing transparency regarding the status quo of draft standards, it examines how companies, especially startups and SMEs, are dealing with the contemplated standardization under the EU AI Act and sectoral standardization following vertical product safety legislation. Industry sectors covered include mobility, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, enterprise software, as well as defense and legal tech. Key challenges identified comprise an effective implementation period of only approximately 6 months compared to at least 12 months actually required, an imbalance of participation and influence in standardization committees, double regulation and technical implementation hurdles as well as significant annual costs for harmonized standards compliance. Technical standards are currently reshaping global AI competition and will have a massive influence on the AI landscape as market entry barriers, particularly on startups. Hence, the paper offers concrete policy recommendations based on the revealed challenges for AI providers.

Keywords: AI Standardization, European AI Standards, EU AI Act, AI Act, Technical Standards, Harmonized Standards, AI Compliance, Digital Regulation, AI Trustworthiness, European AI Policy, CEN-CENELEC JTC 21, High-Risk AI Systems

Suggested Citation

Kilian, Robert and Jäck, Linda and Ebel, Dominik, European AI Standards - Technical Standardization and Implementation Challenges under the EU AI Act (February 26, 2025). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5155591 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5155591

Robert Kilian (Contact Author)

Humboldt University Berlin ( email )

Unter den Linden 6
Berlin, 10117

KI Bundesverband ( email )

Schiffbauerdamm 40
Im Haus Bundespressekonferenz
Berlin, 10117

Linda Jäck

General Catalyst ( email )

Schönhauser Allee 8
Berlin, 10119
Germany

Dominik Ebel

Heidelberg University ( email )

Grabengasse 1
Heidelberg, 69117
Germany

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