The European Commission has published the final Code for AI-generated content labelling, providing practical measures for marking and labelling content generated or manipulated by artificial intelligence.

Published on 10 June 2026, the voluntary Code is designed to help providers and deployers of generative AI systems comply with transparency obligations under Article 50 of the EU AI Act.

Those legal obligations will apply from 2 August 2026, with a transitional compliance period until 2 December 2026 for AI systems placed on the market before that date.

Alt text: EU AI Act transparency icons illustrating AI-generated content labelling

Image source: Envato

How the Code Supports AI-Generated Content Labelling

As generative AI tools make it increasingly easy to produce realistic text, images, audio and video, a central question is how people should be informed when the content they encounter has been created or manipulated using AI.

The new Code offers a practical framework for addressing that question. It is divided into two main sections, reflecting the different obligations placed on providers and deployers of AI systems.

The first section focuses on providers of generative AI systems. It includes commitments relating to the marking and detection of AI-generated or manipulated text, images, audio and video. These measures include the use of machine-readable solutions that should be effective, interoperable, robust and reliable, as far as technically feasible.

The second section focuses on deployers of generative AI systems. It covers the disclosure of deepfakes and certain AI-generated or manipulated text publications intended to inform the public about matters of public interest. It also provides practical measures concerning:

  • The design, placement and presentation of labels and disclosures
  • Internal procedures for deployers
  • The use of disclaimers or icons
  • Disclosures in artistic, creative, satirical and fictional works
  • Cases involving human review and editorial responsibility
AI Usage Notice: In preparing this article, AI tools were used with careful human oversight and editing. We believe in transparency regarding the use of AI in our work.
AI Usage Notice: In preparing this article, AI tools were used with careful human oversight and editing. We believe in transparency regarding the use of AI in our work.

Optional EU Icons for AI-Generated Content

Alongside the Code, the European Commission has published an optional EU icon in three variants.

Deployers may use these icons to identify relevant AI-generated or manipulated content and apply the AI Act's disclosure requirements more consistently.

The icons are not mandatory. Deployers may use other forms of disclosure, provided they meet the applicable legal requirements.

The Code includes guidance on how labels and icons should be presented so that disclosures are clear, visible and accessible to the people encountering the content.

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When Disclosure May Not Be Required

The AI Act contains defined exceptions to some disclosure requirements:

Editorial oversight The obligation to disclose the artificial origin of AI-generated or manipulated text published to inform the public about matters of public interest does not apply when the content has undergone human review or editorial control and a natural or legal person holds editorial responsibility for its publication.
Creative works The Code also takes account of evidently artistic, creative, satirical, fictional and analogous works or programmes. In these cases, disclosures should be presented in an appropriate manner that does not unnecessarily obstruct the display or enjoyment of the work.

A Voluntary Route to Article 50 Compliance

Signing the Code is voluntary. It does not replace the AI Act, create additional legal obligations or extend the scope of the existing rules.

Instead, it offers providers and deployers a recognised practical framework for demonstrating compliance with the relevant transparency obligations under Article 50.

Companies and organisations operating or planning to operate generative AI systems in the EU market may sign the relevant section of the Code. The European Commission says that signatories will be publicly listed in July 2026.

Benefits for signatories
  • A more streamlined way to demonstrate compliance
  • Greater legal predictability
  • Reduced administrative burdens

Organisations that do not sign the Code will still be required to comply with the relevant provisions of the AI Act through other adequate measures.

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