diff --git a/ai-compliance-sdk/internal/api/handlers/iace_handler_init.go b/ai-compliance-sdk/internal/api/handlers/iace_handler_init.go
index c3c0a9ec..ced8b04e 100644
--- a/ai-compliance-sdk/internal/api/handlers/iace_handler_init.go
+++ b/ai-compliance-sdk/internal/api/handlers/iace_handler_init.go
@@ -298,6 +298,10 @@ func (h *IACEHandler) InitializeProject(c *gin.Context) {
 					if len(mp.SuggestedMeasureIDs) > 0 {
 						hazardPatternMeasures[hz.ID] = mp.SuggestedMeasureIDs
 					}
+					// E1: one hazard per pattern — keep only the primary (first
+					// eligible) category; a secondary category would be the same
+					// scenario+zone under a different label (cross-category duplicate).
+					break
 				}
 			}
 		}