{"slug":"eu-ai-act-art-53-gpai-technical-and-downstream-documentation","id":"AIPT-OBL-0043","permanent_url":"https://aipolicytracker.org/id/AIPT-OBL-0043","title":"Providers of GPAI models must maintain technical documentation and inform downstream providers","short_title":"GPAI technical documentation","category":"technical_documentation","summary":"Providers of general-purpose AI models must draw up and keep up to date technical documentation covering the training and testing process and evaluation results, as set in Annex XI, and supply it to the AI Office or national authorities on request. They must also keep current the Annex XII information for providers that integrate the model into their own AI systems, so those providers understand its capabilities and limitations and can meet their own duties. Free and open-source models without systemic risk are exempt from both duties.\n","practical_action":"Maintain a model card and technical file aligned to Annexes XI and XII with version control tied to each model release.\n","is_binding":true,"applies_from":"2025-08-02","section":"Articles 51–56","source_reference":"Article 53(1)(a) and 53(1)(b); Annexes XI and XII","official_source_url":"https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj","review_status":"verified","confidence_level":"high","last_verified_at":"2026-09-26","reviewed_by":null,"actors":["gpai_provider"],"sectors":["cross_sector"],"use_cases":["generative_ai"],"applicability":[{"description":"Providers placing general-purpose AI models on the EU market, other than free and open-source models that do not present systemic risk.","actors":["gpai_provider"],"conditions":"Models placed on the market before 2 August 2025 have until 2 August 2027 under Article 111(3)."}],"evidence_examples":[{"title":"Annex XI technical documentation","description":null,"artifact_type":"document"},{"title":"Annex XII downstream integration documentation","description":null,"artifact_type":"document"}],"framework_mappings":[{"framework":"iso_42001","framework_name":"ISO/IEC 42001:2023","reference":"Annex A.6.2.7, A.8.2, A.10.4","note":"Technical documentation, system documentation and information for customers.","confidence_level":"high","is_original":true},{"framework":"nist_ai_rmf","framework_name":"NIST AI RMF 1.0","reference":"GOVERN 1.4, MAP 2.2, MEASURE 2.1","note":"Documentation of design, testing and evaluation.","confidence_level":"medium","is_original":true}],"controls":[{"slug":"technical-documentation-and-model-cards","title":"Technical documentation, model cards and instructions for use","kind":"process","relationship":"satisfies","note":"Model card and technical file structured to Annexes XI and XII.","confidence_level":"high","url":"https://aipolicytracker.org/controls/technical-documentation-and-model-cards"},{"slug":"model-release-and-change-management-gate","title":"Model release and change-management gate","kind":"process","relationship":"supports","note":"Release requires the documentation to be current.","confidence_level":"medium","url":"https://aipolicytracker.org/controls/model-release-and-change-management-gate"}],"url":"https://aipolicytracker.org/obligations/eu-ai-act-art-53-gpai-technical-and-downstream-documentation","policy":{"slug":"eu-ai-act","title":"Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 — Artificial Intelligence Act","status":"partially_applicable","jurisdiction":"eu","url":"https://aipolicytracker.org/policies/eu-ai-act"}}