ISO 42001 Certification
AI governance is moving fast. ISO 42001 gives your organisation a clear, structured way to keep up, and to show others you are doing it responsibly.
What Is ISO 42001?
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 is the world’s first international standard for managing artificial intelligence. It gives organisations a practical framework for governing AI responsibly, whether you are developing AI systems, deploying them, or using AI-powered tools and services as part of how you work.
If your organisation uses AI in any meaningful way, you are probably already thinking about the risks.
- How do you make sure it is being used ethically?
- What happens if something goes wrong?
- How do you demonstrate to clients, partners, and regulators that you have this under control?
ISO 42001 is how you answer those questions with confidence. It brings everything together into one clear, manageable framework, an Artificial Intelligence Management System (or AIMS) so you can govern AI consistently, audit it properly, and demonstrate your approach to anyone who needs to see it.
And while it is a voluntary standard, the pressure to demonstrate AI governance is growing. Regulatory requirements, procurement questionnaires, and client expectations are all moving in the same direction.
You will work with a BSI-certified ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor and experienced GRC specialists who understand how to turn AI governance into a clear, practical framework for your organisation.
Ready to Make ISO 42001 More Manageable for Your Team?
Talk to a specialist who can help you understand the requirements, simplify the process and create a clear plan that fits your organisation.
How We Support Your ISO 42001 Accreditation Journey
AI governance is new territory for most organisations. Unlike ISO 27001, where there is a well-trodden path and plenty of precedent to draw on, ISO 42001 is a standard that many teams are approaching for the first time, often without a clear picture of what is involved or where to begin.
We work with you to make the process feel less daunting and more defined. Starting with a clear picture of where you are now, we help you understand what needs to be built, guide you through building it, and support you through certification and beyond. We are not here to hand you a document pack and leave you to it; we stay alongside you throughout.
At a glance we support with:
- Gap analysis: understanding where you stand against ISO 42001 requirements before anything else
- AIMS design and implementation: building your AI Management System from the ground up
- AI risk assessment and AI system impact assessment
- Policy, control, and documentation development
- Internal ISO 42001 audit preparation: making sure you are ready before the certification body arrives
- Certification support with UKAS-accredited bodies including BSI, LRQA, and ISOQAR
- Ongoing compliance and vCISO support once certification is achieved
Our ISO 42001 Governance Experience Explained
ISO 42001 Consultants With Auditor-Level Knowledge
Our team includes BSI-certified ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditors, meaning we understand not just what the standard requires, but how it is assessed in practice. That knowledge shapes every engagement we take on.
Support for Organisations at Every Size and Stage
From start-ups to large enterprises, whether you are starting your AI governance journey from scratch or extending an existing ISO 27001 framework, we will build an approach that fits where you are now and where you need to get to.
Experience in Regulated Environments
We work with organisations across financial services, healthcare, technology, and the public sector, environments where AI governance is not just good practice, but increasingly essential.
With You Beyond Certification
Achieving certification is only part of the picture. We stay with you to help maintain, review, and continually improve your AIMS as your AI systems and the regulatory landscape evolve
ISO 42001 and the EU AI Act
If your organisation operates in European markets, the EU AI Act introduces binding obligations for AI development and deployment, particularly for high-risk systems. ISO 42001 covers significant ground that the EU AI Act requires.
Here is the simple breakdown:
- Risk management systems
- Transparency obligations
- Human oversight mechanisms
- Technical documentation
- AI risk assessment and AIMS controls framework
- Documented AI policies and accountability structure
- Defined human review and intervention controls
- Statement of Applicability and audit trail
ISO 42001 won’t give you full EU AI Act compliance on its own, but it builds the governance foundations that make meeting those obligations significantly more achievable.
Our consultants help you understand where the two intersect and how to structure your AIMS to address both.
Already Certified to ISO 27001? You Are Closer Than You Think.
ISO 42001 follows the same Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology as ISO 27001. The documentation structures are compatible, risk assessment processes overlap, and a significant amount of what you have already built for your ISMS can be extended rather than duplicated.
For organisations already holding ISO 27001 certification, implementing ISO 42001 as an extension rather than a standalone system means you can:
- Avoid duplicating policies, documentation, and risk assessment processes
- Manage information security and AI governance within a single, coherent framework
- Reduce the operational burden of maintaining two separate management systems
We will advise on integration from the outset, so the approach is efficient rather than starting from scratch.
Hear From Our Customers
What stood out most was the clarity of information and the team’s clear, straightforward communication throughout the process. Equilibrium has given us greater confidence in our business continuity, and we would absolutely recommend them to others seeking Cyber Security services. They made the entire process simple, and their findings were clearly and effectively communicated.
Ryan Ginty
Managing Director, Auger Torque
Why Choose Equilibrium Security For ISO 42001 Consultancy
Choosing the right partner for ISO 42001 makes a real difference, especially for a standard that is still relatively new and evolving quickly. Many organisations tell us they are not sure where to begin, or worried about committing to a process they do not fully understand yet. If that sounds familiar, you are in the right place.
Our team combines specialist GRC expertise with deep experience in information security and AI governance. We bring auditor-level knowledge of the standard to every engagement, which means we understand what certification bodies look for from day one, not just at the audit stage.
- We listen first. Before offering any guidance, we take time to understand how your organisation uses AI and what good governance looks like in your specific context.
- You get a team who truly cares. We bring expertise and straight talking, clear explanations, honest advice, and no unnecessary complexity.
- We focus on real progress. Our goal is lasting AI governance capability, not just getting you through an audit.
- Your people come along for the journey. We help your teams understand what is changing, why it matters, and what their role is in making it work.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 is the world’s first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems. It provides a structured framework for organisations to govern AI responsibly, whether you are developing AI systems, deploying them, or using AI-powered products and services as part of how you work.
ISO 42001 is relevant to any organisation that develops, deploys, or uses AI systems, regardless of size or sector. It is particularly relevant for organisations in regulated industries, those with EU market exposure, and any organisation that needs to demonstrate responsible AI governance to clients, partners, or regulators.
ISO 42001 is a voluntary standard. However, organisations subject to the EU AI Act, or those responding to procurement requirements that include AI governance criteria, may find that certification is increasingly expected. Many organisations are pursuing it proactively to get ahead of regulatory and commercial pressure.
There is significant overlap between the two. ISO 42001 covers much of the governance ground the EU AI Act requires: risk management, transparency, human oversight, and documentation. Implementing ISO 42001 builds the foundations that make meeting EU AI Act obligations considerably more achievable, though it does not automatically equal full compliance.
Yes, and for organisations already certified to ISO 27001, integration is strongly recommended. Both standards share the same methodology and compatible documentation structures, making ISO 42001 a natural and efficient extension of an existing ISMS.
The process typically involves five stages: a gap analysis, building your AIMS (Artificial Intelligence Management System), an internal audit, a formal certification audit with a UKAS-accredited body, and ongoing compliance maintenance. It is a continuous cycle rather than a one-time exercise.
This depends on the size and complexity of your organisation, the number of AI systems in scope, and your current governance maturity. We will give you a clear timeline as part of your scoped proposal following an initial gap analysis.
Cost varies depending on your starting point and the scope of support needed. We provide clear, scoped proposals so you understand exactly what is involved before committing. Get in touch to request a quote.