Italy's mandatory AI workplace safety decree takes effect Thursday, bringing algorithmic scheduling tools into scope

Italy's Legislative Decree No. 179/2026 takes effect on October 23, requiring employers to include AI systems that affect work organization in the existing risk assessment document DVR, with no transition period. Article 42 of the decree amends Consolidated Safety Act No. 81/2008, determining scope by functional criteria rather than product labels; algorithmic scheduling platforms, task allocation engines and production monitoring systems may all be covered. Failure to fulfill the DVR obligation carries the existing penalties: fines of approximately EUR 3,557 to 9,113, and responsible persons may face up to six months' imprisonment; if a workplace injury results from a missing DVR, criminal prosecution may also follow. Article 41 of the decree also requires that decisions on recruitment, contract changes, termination and disciplinary action be made by humans, and non-compliant decisions are legally invalid.