Glossary · EU AI Act: high-risk AI
Post-market monitoring (AI Act)
Also known as: Post-market monitoring system (AI Act), Post-market monitoring plan
German: Beobachtung nach dem Inverkehrbringen (KI-Verordnung)
Under the EU AI Act, post-market monitoring is the system a provider of a high-risk AI system establishes and documents to actively and systematically collect, document and analyze data on the system’s performance throughout its lifetime — including data provided by deployers — so that it can evaluate continuous compliance with the high-risk requirements.
- AI regulation
- EU
In one sentence
Post-market monitoring under Art. 72 AI Act: the provider’s documented system for collecting and analyzing data on a high-risk AI system in use.
Example
The provider of an AI-based visual inspection system collects false-reject rates and operator overrides from deployers every month and reviews them against the accuracy stated in the instructions for use.
Explained in context
Context cards connect this term with others to answer one question. Also in British English and German.
How it applies
- Provider's system: Proportionate to the nature of the AI technology and the risks; based on a post-market monitoring plan that is part of the technical documentation (Annex IV). Where relevant it includes the interaction with other AI systems.
- Data sources: Data that deployers provide or that is collected otherwise — performance, deviations, overrides, logs where the provider has access (record-keeping and logs).
- Feeds incident reporting: Post-market monitoring is where many serious incidents are first recognized; the two are separate duties.
- When it applies: With the high-risk obligations — December 2, 2027 for Annex III systems and August 2, 2028 for Annex I Section A products, as set by the Digital Omnibus on AI.
- AI agents: For an agent within a high-risk system, monitoring covers its actions, not only its answers: tool calls, refusals, approvals and interventions by people.
Post-market monitoring vs. post-deployment monitoring
Post-deployment monitoring is the general engineering practice of watching a model in operation. Post-market monitoring under Article 72 is the provider's legal duty for high-risk AI systems, with a documented plan. The practice can serve the duty; it doesn't establish compliance by itself.