Digital Omnibus AI 2026: what changes for machinery manufacturers, aviation and AI developers

Key data

If your company manufactures machinery with AI components, operates in the aeronautical sector or develops high-risk AI systems for these markets, the Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 —known as the Digital Omnibus on AI— changes the rules of the game in terms of certification and compliance. Published on 24 July 2026, this regulation simultaneously modifies three key European standards to eliminate overlaps and simplify accreditation procedures.

The problem it solves is concrete: until now, a company developing an AI system integrated into industrial machinery had to navigate partially overlapping requirements between the AI Act (EU) 2024/1689, the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 and, where applicable, the Aviation Regulation (EU) 2018/1139. The new regulation aligns these three frameworks so they speak the same language.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/1744 introduces modifications to three existing European regulations. The following table summarizes which standard is modified and what the concrete change is:

The central mechanism is the recognition of harmonized technical standards as a valid way to demonstrate compliance with the AI Act. This means that a company can rely on recognized technical standards —rather than having to demonstrate compliance independently before each regulatory framework— to obtain CE marking or equivalent.

Economic and operational impact

The main impact of this regulation is a reduction in certification costs and administrative burden for affected companies. Although the regulation does not quantify specific savings figures, the operational effects are clear:

• Fewer duplications in audits and technical documentation: a single compliance assessment can simultaneously cover the requirements of the AI Act and the applicable sectoral regulation (machinery or aviation).
• More agile certification procedures: the use of recognized harmonized standards accelerates the timelines for obtaining CE marking for high-risk AI systems.
• Greater legal clarity: companies know exactly which technical standard to comply with to satisfy the requirements of all three regulations at once, reducing legal uncertainty and advisory costs.
• Competitive opportunity: companies that adapt their certification processes earlier will be able to shorten the time to market for products with integrated AI.

For companies with high-risk AI systems in their portfolio, regulatory simplification can translate into a significant reduction in time-to-market, especially in sectors such as industrial machinery or aeronautical systems, where certification processes are typically lengthy and costly.

Who does it affect?

• Machinery manufacturers that integrate AI systems into their products and need CE marking under the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230.
• Operators and manufacturers in the aeronautical sector subject to the Aviation Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 that develop or deploy AI systems.
• Developers of high-risk AI systems that commercialize their solutions in the machinery or aviation sectors within the EU.
• Compliance and legal teams of technology companies that manage the certification of products with AI.
• Notified bodies responsible for assessing the conformity of AI systems in these sectors.

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish company manufacturing industrial robotic arms that incorporates an AI system for anomaly detection on a production line. Before Regulation 2026/1744, this company had to:

1. Demonstrate compliance with the high-risk AI requirements of the AI Act (EU) 2024/1689.
2. Separately demonstrate compliance with the safety requirements of the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230.
3. Manage technical documentation and potentially redundant audits for both frameworks.

With Regulation 2026/1744, this same company can rely on recognized harmonized technical standards to simultaneously cover the requirements of both regulations. The result: a single compliance assessment, less duplicate documentation and a faster process for obtaining CE marking. For a mid-sized company with several product models, this can mean weeks or months less time until commercialization.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify whether your AI products are "high-risk" according to the classification of the AI Act (EU) 2024/1689. This regulation only simplifies certification for systems that were already in that category.
2. Review which sectoral regulations apply to you: if you operate in machinery (EU) 2023/1230 or aviation (EU) 2018/1139, this regulation directly affects you.
3. Consult with your notified body which recognized harmonized technical standards are available for your sector and how to integrate them into your current certification process.
4. Update technical documentation and internal procedures for compliance assessment to take advantage of the simplified route opened by Regulation 2026/1744.
5. Monitor the publication of the entry into force date, which has not been specified in the text published on 24 July 2026, to plan adaptation timelines.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601744