# Article 62: Measures for providers and deployers, in particular SMEs, including start-ups

> EU AI Act (2024/1689)
> Chapter 6 Measures in support of innovation
> Source: https://en.ai-act.io/article/measures-in-support-of-innovation/measures-for-providers-and-deployers-in-particular-smes-including-start-ups

(1) Member States shall undertake the following actions:
(a) provide SMEs, including start-ups, having a registered office or a branch in the Union, with priority access to the AI regulatory sandboxes, to the extent that they fulfil the eligibility conditions and selection criteria; the priority access shall not preclude other SMEs, including start-ups, other than those referred to in this paragraph from access to the AI regulatory sandbox, provided that they also fulfil the eligibility conditions and selection criteria;
 
(b) organise specific awareness raising and training activities on the application of this Regulation tailored to the needs of SMEs including start-ups, deployers and, as appropriate, local public authorities;
(c) utilise existing dedicated channels and where appropriate, establish new ones for communication with SMEs including start-ups, deployers, other innovators and, as appropriate, local public authorities to provide advice and respond to queries about the implementation of this Regulation, including as regards participation in AI regulatory sandboxes;
(d) facilitate the participation of SMEs and other relevant stakeholders in the standardisation development process.

(2) The specific interests and needs of the SME providers, including start-ups, shall be taken into account when setting the fees for conformity assessment under [Article 43](https://en.ai-act.io/article/high-risk-ai-systems/standards-conformity-assessment-certificates-registration/conformity-assessment.md), reducing those fees proportionately to their size, market size and other relevant indicators.

(3) The AI Office shall undertake the following actions:
(a) provide standardised templates for areas covered by this Regulation, as specified by the Board in its request;
(b) develop and maintain a single information platform providing easy to use information in relation to this Regulation for all operators across the Union; 
(c) organise appropriate communication campaigns to raise awareness about the obligations arising from this Regulation;
(d) evaluate and promote the convergence of best practices in public procurement procedures in relation to AI systems.