Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen has rejected high-end estimates of compliance costs under the EU AI Act, arguing that the true burden for most companies is a fraction of the figures cited by critics. In a written answer to a parliamentary question from Renew MEP Michael McNamara, Virkkunen sought to reassure businesses that the regulation will not impose prohibitive costs, especially for firms already subject to product safety legislation.
The answer, published on 27 April 2026, responds to McNamara's question of 24 March 2026, which cited estimates of EUR 320,000 to EUR 600,000 for high-risk AI system compliance. Virkkunen directly challenged those numbers, calling the EUR 600,000 figure unsubstantiated and based on a small qualitative survey of perceptions rather than hard evidence.
Virkkunen clarified that the EUR 319,000 figure from the Commission's own 2021 support study refers to an exceptional case: a provider without a quality management system (QMS) in place. For the majority of high-risk AI systems, which fall under existing product safety legislation listed in Annex I of the AI Act, a QMS is already required. She cited preliminary estimates from conformity assessment bodies indicating that compliance costs for such systems would increase by only 15-20% over current costs. Applying the support study's upgrade cost range of EUR 159,000 to 202,000, the additional AI Act compliance cost would be between EUR 23,850 and 40,400.
The answer signals the Commission's determination to defend the AI Act against claims of excessive regulatory burden, a key concern for business stakeholders. It also indicates that the European AI Office is not currently planning a new, authoritative cost study, relying instead on existing impact assessment data and feedback from conformity assessment bodies.
Policy orientation: The Commission is prioritising proportionality and leveraging existing regulatory frameworks to minimise additional costs. The answer suggests a pragmatic approach, emphasising that most high-risk AI providers already have compliance infrastructure in place.
Expected follow-up: No immediate legislative action is signalled. The Commission may continue to monitor cost perceptions and could issue guidance or best practices to help companies, especially SMEs, navigate compliance efficiently.