Authorised representative (AI Act)

A provider outside the EU that wants to sell a high-risk AI system or a general-purpose AI model in Europe must appoint, in writing, an authorised representative established in the EU (Articles 22 and 54).

The representative keeps a copy of the technical documentation and declaration of conformity, makes them available to authorities for 10 years, cooperates with them and can receive requests on the provider's behalf. If it finds the provider is in breach, it must terminate the mandate and inform the authority.

It is similar to the GDPR Article 27 representative. For a European company buying AI from a foreign vendor, having such a representative is a good sign the vendor takes the AI Act seriously.