The world's first AI management system standard is here. ISO 42001 turns responsible AI into an operating model, not a slide deck. VerifyWise translates its requirements into a plan with owners, timelines, and evidence your auditor can trust.
ISO 42001 is an international standard that sets requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS). It is built for organizations that provide, develop, or use AI systems, making responsible AI measurable and auditable.
Why this matters now: It gives you a structured way to govern AI, prove accountability, and prepare for regulation, while keeping innovation moving.
Apply controls based on your AI risk profile
Continuous improvement cycle
AI providers & developers
Build or deploy AI systems
AI users
Rely on third-party AI in products or workflows
Regulated industries
Need to prove AI governance to customers & regulators
ISO-certified organizations
Integrates with ISO 27001 & ISO 9001
Your implementation roadmap with clear phases and deliverables
Apply controls based on risk - you justify choices in your Statement of Applicability
Certification uses a two-stage audit by an accredited body, then annual surveillance
Documentation review
Operational evidence
Annual reviews
VerifyWise generates and organizes the documentation you need
In-scope systems, roles, and boundaries
Generated from: Model inventory and scope wizard
Approved AI policy, lifecycle procedures
Generated from: Policy generator with version history
Assessments with treatments and acceptance
Generated from: Risk register and assessment workflows
Testing, evaluation, deployment gates
Generated from: Release management and CI/CD integration
Logs, alerts, drift findings
Generated from: Monitoring dashboard and incident tracker
Plans, reports, actions, follow-ups
Generated from: Audit module and management review tracker
Common questions about ISO 42001 certification
No, it is voluntary. However, certification signals trust and maturity to customers and regulators, and can be a competitive advantage in the market.
It depends on scope and readiness. Teams familiar with ISO programs can move faster because the process mirrors ISO 27001 and 9001, with Stage 1, Stage 2, and annual surveillance. Typically, organizations can achieve certification within 3-6 months with proper preparation.
No, you apply controls based on risk and context, then justify choices in your Statement of Applicability. The risk-based approach allows you to focus on controls relevant to your AI systems and use cases.
Yes. ISO 42001 shares the harmonized structure with other management system standards, so integration reduces duplicate work and creates synergies with your existing programs.
You still need governance over selection, usage, transparency, and monitoring. ISO 42001 expects you to manage suppliers and maintain evidence of ongoing control, even when using external AI services.
Certificates are valid for 3 years with annual surveillance audits. You'll need to maintain your AIMS, conduct internal audits, management reviews, and demonstrate continuous improvement. The surveillance audits ensure ongoing compliance.
Select an accredited certification body with experience in AI and technology sectors. Look for auditors who understand your industry context and can provide valuable insights beyond compliance checking. ANAB, UKAS, and DAkkS are key accreditation bodies to look for.
While different in purpose, ISO 42001 provides a strong foundation for EU AI Act compliance. The management system approach helps operationalize many AI Act requirements like risk management, documentation, and monitoring. However, specific AI Act obligations still need separate attention.
Yes, the standard is scalable. Smaller organizations can implement proportionate controls and documentation. The key is focusing on what's material to your AI risks rather than creating excessive bureaucracy. Many controls can be streamlined for smaller teams.
Turn your AI governance into a certified management system with our comprehensive platform and expert guidance.