CHAPTER IX

Article 77: Powers of authorities protecting fundamental rights

Plain English Summary

What this article does: Grants specific powers to national authorities responsible for protecting fundamental rights. Who it applies to: National authorities with fundamental rights mandates (e.g., equality bodies, data protection authorities). Key requirements: Para 1: National authorities may request and access any documentation created or maintained by the deployer of a high-risk AI system, where access is necessary to exercise their powers under national or EU law. Para 2: Must inform the market surveillance authority of any such request. Para 3: Must use the information only for the exercise of their specific mandate.

1. National public authorities or bodies which supervise or enforce the respect of obligations under Union law protecting fundamental rights, including the right to non-discrimination, in relation to the use of high-risk AI systems referred to in Annex III shall have the power to request and access any documentation created or maintained under this Regulation in accessible language and format when access to that documentation is necessary for effectively fulfilling their mandates within the limits of their jurisdiction. The relevant public authority or body shall inform the market surveillance authority of the Member State concerned of any such request.

2. By 2 November 2024, each Member State shall identify the public authorities or bodies referred to in paragraph 1 and make a list of them publicly available. Member States shall notify the list to the Commission and to the other Member States, and shall keep the list up to date.

3. Where the documentation referred to in paragraph 1 is insufficient to ascertain whether an infringement of obligations under Union law protecting fundamental rights has occurred, the public authority or body referred to in paragraph 1 may make a reasoned request to the market surveillance authority, to organise testing of the high-risk AI system through technical means. The market surveillance authority shall organise the testing with the close involvement of the requesting public authority or body within a reasonable time following the request.

4. Any information or documentation obtained by the national public authorities or bodies referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article pursuant to this Article shall be treated in accordance with the confidentiality obligations set out in .

Cross-referenced Articles

Built by Paul McCormack — lawyer, product leader, and founder of Kormoon. This site is an independent informational resource only and does not constitute legal advice. No reliance should be placed on its contents. For the authoritative text, refer to the official EUR-Lex source linked in the Annexes tab, or consult your legal advisor.