The UNECE Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6) has released a declaration in response to the increasing complexity of AI and digital technologies embedded in everyday products and services. This declaration aims to promote global regulatory coherence and address the urgent need for a unified approach to regulating AI in products such as consumer electronics, medical devices, and industrial systems.
The declaration is based on the Overarching Common Regulatory Arrangements (CRA), which supports voluntary regulatory cooperation between governments while promoting global trade and technological advancements. The CRA provides guidance on reducing technical barriers to trade, aligning regulatory approaches, and improving market surveillance.
According to Heidi Lund, Chair of UNECE WP.6, the fragmented regulatory landscape for AI, coupled with security and geopolitical concerns, poses a risk to international trade. Therefore, it is crucial to address digital risks with effective measures that cater to specific AI use cases. The declaration emphasizes the importance of consensus-driven regulatory approaches to mitigate digital vulnerabilities and ensure that technological advancements benefit all economies.
The declaration offers various benefits, including facilitating international trade by promoting regulatory coherence, enhancing regulatory clarity and predictability, promoting trustworthiness and resilience in AI systems, and supporting sustainable development by aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This declaration is a proactive response to the rapidly evolving digital landscape and provides a platform for global regulatory collaboration. It offers a flexible, non-binding methodology that can be adapted to the maturity levels of participating agencies, allowing them to implement best practices tailored to their specific regulatory needs. The ultimate goal is to ensure that AI-embedded products are safe for consumers and do not negatively impact human autonomy, mental wellbeing, or individual freedoms.
The UNECE W.P.6 Project Leader, Markus Krebsz, highlights the broader impact of the CRA, stating that it not only promotes trade and regulatory coherence but also addresses societal challenges such as trustworthiness, privacy, cybersecurity, and reducing the global digital divide. The framework encourages continuous compliance and the sharing of best practices to ensure the safe and responsible development of AI technologies.
Next, UNECE will launch a call for engagement, inviting governments and national agencies to participate in new implementation projects that apply the principles of the CRA to specific sectors, such as medical devices, electrical appliances, or toys. This initiative offers a strategic path towards shaping the future of AI regulation and contributing to a more integrated and efficient global market for AI-embedded products and services.
For more information, please visit this page or the UNECE WP.6 website, or contact [email protected].