# Recital (25)

This Regulation should support innovation, should respect freedom of science, and should not undermine research 
and development activity. It is therefore necessary to exclude from its scope AI systems and models specifically 
developed and put into service for the sole purpose of scientific research and development. Moreover, it is necessary 
to ensure that this Regulation does not otherwise affect scientific research and development activity on AI systems or 
models prior to being placed on the market or put into service. As regards product-oriented research, testing and 
development activity regarding AI systems or models, the provisions of this Regulation should also not apply prior 
to those systems and models being put into service or placed on the market. That exclusion is without prejudice to 
the obligation to comply with this Regulation where an AI system falling into the scope of this Regulation is placed 
on the market or put into service as a result of such research and development activity and to the application of 
provisions on AI regulatory sandboxes and testing in real world conditions. Furthermore, without prejudice to the 
exclusion of AI systems specifically developed and put into service for the sole purpose of scientific research and 
development, any other AI system that may be used for the conduct of any research and development activity should 
remain subject to the provisions of this Regulation. In any event, any research and development activity should be 
carried out in accordance with recognised ethical and professional standards for scientific research and should be 
conducted in accordance with applicable Union law.

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Source: Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act) as amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/1744, consolidated text of 27 July 2026 (Official Journal of the EU). This page is AI-generated legal information, not legal advice. Verify against the Official Journal.
Canonical: https://euaiactlaw.com/recital/25