Conformity Assessment: What Providers Need to Know Before February 2027

Conformity assessment is the process by which a provider demonstrates that their high-risk AI system meets the requirements of the EU AI Act. For most high-risk systems, this is a self-assessment based on internal controls.

Internal vs third-party assessment

Most high-risk systems undergo internal conformity assessment, where the provider evaluates compliance against the Act's requirements. Third-party assessment (by a notified body) is required only for biometric identification systems and critical infrastructure in specific cases.

Documentation requirements

The technical documentation must be comprehensive: system description, design methodology, risk management, data governance, testing results, and monitoring plans. Think of it as the system's compliance passport, reviewed at every stage from development to deployment.