Manufacturing

Factories use AI for predictive maintenance, quality control, machine safety and operator monitoring. Regulation comes in two ways: product safety, when AI is a component of machinery or critical infrastructure, and labor and data law, when AI monitors or evaluates workers.

Relevant sector rules

EU: AI acting as a safety component of regulated products (Annex I) applies from Aug 2, 2028, although the Digital Omnibus largely exempts machinery from the dual regime; worker performance monitoring is high-risk from Dec 2, 2027 and emotion recognition at work is banned; the Cyber Resilience Act requires vulnerability reporting for products with digital elements from Sep 11, 2026. Spain: the Workers' Statute limits video surveillance and geolocation, and Royal Decree 723/2026 requires written notice to workers. Peru: the production sector has until Sep 10, 2028 under the AI regulation. Mexico: NOM-037-STPS-2023 regulates telework and data protection. Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil: worker monitoring is governed by labor and data protection laws. US: OSHA and product safety rules, with no AI-specific federal law.

Typical AI uses

Sector regulators

European Union: European Commission, internal market and industry (Machinery Regulation)
Spain: Ministry of Industry and Tourism
Ministry of Labor and Social Economy and Labor and Social Security Inspectorate
Ecuador: Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries
Colombia: Ministry of Labor
Peru: Ministry of Production (PRODUCE)
Mexico: Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS)
Chile: Labor Directorate
Brazil: National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro)
United States (federal): Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)