Civil society warns against AI rules cuts for medical devices and toys

A group of civil society organisations has joined in opposing potential cuts to the EU’s rules on AI in industrial sectors, including for medical devices and toys, in an open letter sent to EU institutions on Wednesday.

Parliament proposed cutting the AI Act’s rules for using the tech in sectors including machinery, toys and watercraft via the AI simplification package. It’s currently in talks with Council, which did not include the move in its position on the file.

AI safety and testing groups already warned about the potential cuts in March, arguing they would leave consumers less safe and lead to more legal uncertainty for businesses.

Civil society groups including the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, Access Now and European Digital Rights backed these warnings in their letter on Wednesday.

One of the sectors the groups are especially concerned about is toys. The EU recently adopted a law for toys, which explicitly did not include any dedicated AI rules since the AI Act includes provisions – which could now be cut.

“This would create a structural gap in protecting children,” the civil society groups warn in the letter.

They also raise the alarm over proposed changes to remove medical devices from the scope of the AI rules, writing that patient safety and public trust is at stake.

(nl)