The European Commission has published the final voluntary Code of Practice on the marking and labelling of AI-generated content, providing guidance for companies ahead of new transparency requirements under the EU AI Act that take effect on 2 August 2026.

The Code outlines practical measures for providers and deployers of generative AI systems to comply with upcoming obligations designed to help users identify AI-generated or AI-manipulated content. Under the AI Act, deepfakes and AI-generated text on matters of public interest must be clearly labelled, while users must be informed when interacting with AI systems such as chatbots.

Developed by six independent experts with contributions from more than 180 stakeholders, the Code contains separate guidance for AI providers and deployers. It explains how AI-generated content should be marked in a machine-readable format and how deployers should label deepfakes and public-interest content that lacks human editorial oversight.

The Commission has opened the Code for signatures and encourages organisations to join. Signatories will be able to demonstrate compliance with relevant AI Act transparency obligations once they come into force. Additional Commission guidelines are expected to clarify legal requirements and provide further practical support for implementation.