Skip to main content
    Guide
    High-Risk AI
    12 min read

    FRIA: Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment

    Article 27 requires certain deployers to assess AI impact on fundamental rights before use. Here's who needs one, what to include, and how to keep it current.

    Who Needs a FRIA?

    Public body deploying high-risk AI
    Any public authority or body governed by public law
    FRIA required before first use
    Private entity providing public services
    Organizations providing public services using high-risk AI
    FRIA required before first use
    Credit scoring systems
    Systems evaluating creditworthiness of natural persons
    FRIA required before first use
    Life/health insurance risk assessment
    AI systems for risk assessment in life and health insurance
    FRIA required before first use

    Not sure if you need a FRIA? Use our High-Risk Checker tool to assess your systems, then check if FRIA trigger conditions apply.

    Run High-Risk Checker

    The Six Required Elements

    Article 27 specifies six elements (a)–(f) that every FRIA must include:

    (a) Process Description

    Describe your organization's processes where the AI system will be used, including human oversight arrangements

    (b) Duration & Frequency

    Specify how long and how often the AI system will be used

    (c) Affected Persons

    Identify categories of people likely to be affected, including vulnerable groups

    (d) Potential Harms

    Assess risks to fundamental rights—non-discrimination, privacy, due process, access to services

    (e) Human Oversight

    Detail oversight design, competence requirements, and authority to intervene

    (f) Mitigation & Governance

    Describe mitigation measures, governance arrangements, and complaint mechanisms

    Timing & Updates

    Before First Use

    The FRIA must be performed prior to putting the AI system into use. You cannot deploy first and assess later.

    Ongoing Updates

    The FRIA must be updated when appropriate—it's a living document, not a one-time checkbox.

    Update Triggers

    Material change to the AI system
    Change in affected groups or scale
    New deployment context or use case
    Significant incident or risk identified
    Regulatory guidance updates

    FRIA & DPIA: Working Together

    Leverage Existing Work

    Article 27 explicitly states that where a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) has already been carried out, the FRIA should complement it—you can use relevant information from the DPIA to avoid duplication.

    This means your GDPR compliance work feeds directly into EU AI Act compliance. Klarvo links DPIA references directly to your FRIA workflow.

    Notification Requirements

    Market Surveillance Authority

    In most cases, you must notify the relevant market surveillance authority of the FRIA results using a prescribed template. Some exemptions apply—check the specific requirements for your jurisdiction.

    Get FRIA Template

    Related Resources

    FRIA Template

    Downloadable template aligned with Article 27 requirements.

    Download

    High-Risk Guide

    Understand Annex III categories and deployer obligations.

    Read Guide

    FRIA Software

    Guided FRIA workflow with PDF export.

    Learn More

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a FRIA under the EU AI Act?

    A Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment (FRIA) is required by Article 27 for certain deployers of high-risk AI systems. It assesses the impact on fundamental rights before the system is put into use and includes process description, affected persons, risks, oversight, and mitigation measures.

    Who needs to conduct a FRIA?

    Public bodies deploying high-risk AI, private entities providing public services with high-risk AI, and deployers of credit scoring or life/health insurance risk assessment systems must conduct FRIAs.

    When must a FRIA be completed?

    The FRIA must be completed prior to putting the high-risk AI system into use. It's not a one-time exercise—you must update it when relevant circumstances change.

    Do we need to notify anyone of the FRIA results?

    Yes, in most cases you must notify the market surveillance authority of the FRIA results using a prescribed template, unless an exemption applies.

    How does FRIA relate to DPIA?

    FRIA and DPIA (Data Protection Impact Assessment) are complementary. Article 27 explicitly allows leveraging relevant information from an existing DPIA to avoid duplication.

    Conduct Your FRIA with Confidence

    Klarvo's FRIA workflow guides you through all six elements and generates audit-ready PDF reports.

    No credit card
    14-day trial
    Cancel anytime