ISO/IEC 42001:2023
AI Management System (AIMS)
The first international standard for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an AI management system responsibly and compliantly.
What is ISO 42001?
ISO/IEC 42001 is the first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS). Published in December 2023 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), it provides a structured framework for developing, deploying, and managing AI systems responsibly.
The standard builds on the Annex SL (High Level Structure), used by other management system standards like ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 9001 (quality), facilitating integration with existing management systems.
ISO 42001 addresses the unique challenges posed by AI systems, including bias, transparency, accountability, and the need for human oversight throughout the AI lifecycle.
Key Objectives
- Develop and deploy AI responsibly and ethically
- Manage AI-specific risks systematically
- Demonstrate regulatory compliance (EU AI Act, Loi 25, etc.)
- Build trust with clients, partners, and regulators
- Continuously improve AI governance
Who Should Consider ISO 42001?
Applicable to any organization, regardless of size or sector:
- Organizations developing AI systems
- Organizations deploying AI in production
- AI solution providers
- Organizations using AI for critical decisions
- Any business wanting to demonstrate responsible AI governance
The PDCA Cycle at the Heart of ISO 42001
ISO 42001 is built on the Plan-Do-Check-Act continuous improvement cycle, ensuring dynamic and adaptive governance.
PLAN
Clauses 4-6
Clause 4: Context of the Organization
- Understand internal and external issues
- Identify interested parties
- Define AIMS scope
Clause 5: Leadership
- Top management commitment
- Documented AI Policy
- Roles and responsibilities
Clause 6: Planning
- AI Risk Assessment
- AI Impact Assessment
- AIMS objectives and planning
DO
Clauses 7-8
Clause 7: Support
- Resources (human, technical)
- Competence and awareness
- Communication
- Documentation
Clause 8: Operation
- Operational planning
- ML Lifecycle management
- Data quality & governance
- Monitoring & logging
CHECK
Clause 9
Clause 9: Performance Evaluation
- Monitoring and measurement
- Internal audit
- Management review
- AIMS KPIs and metrics
ACT
Clause 10
Clause 10: Improvement
- Nonconformity handling
- Corrective actions
- Continual improvement
- Lessons learned
Standard Structure
ISO 42001 follows the Annex SL (High Level Structure), aligned with ISO 27001, ISO 9001, and other ISO management standards.
| Clause | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Introduction, Scope, Terms |
|
| 4 | Context of the Organization |
|
| 5 | Leadership |
|
| 6 | Planning |
|
| 7 | Support |
|
| 8 | Operation |
|
| 9 | Performance Evaluation |
|
| 10 | Improvement |
|
Annex A: Security and Governance Controls
Annex A of ISO 42001 specifies 39 controls organized into 9 categories. Organizations select applicable controls via a Statement of Applicability (SOA).
Why Get ISO 42001 Certified?
Regulatory Compliance
- EU AI Act (Articles 17, 53)
- Loi 25 (Quebec)
- PIPEDA (Canada)
- Industry regulations (finance, healthcare)
Trust & Credibility
- Clients & partners
- Investors
- Regulators
- Public & media
Competitive Advantage
- Market differentiation
- Government RFP access
- Premium positioning
- Early adopter advantage
Concrete Benefits
- Demonstrate rigorous and responsible AI governance
- Reduce legal, reputational, and operational risks
- Facilitate EU AI Act compliance (if exporting to EU)
- Improve transparency and accountability
- Structure and optimize AI processes
- Win client and partner trust
- Stand out in RFPs and tenders
- Prepare for future regulations
Priority Sectors
Certification Process
Typical duration: 6 to 18 months depending on initial maturity
Gap Analysis & Planning
1-3 months
- Assess current maturity vs ISO 42001
- Identify critical gaps
- Prioritize actions (quick wins vs long term)
- Develop detailed compliance roadmap
- Define budget and resources
AIMS Implementation
3-12 months
- Develop AI Policy & processes
- Implement selected Annex A controls
- Conduct AI Risk & Impact Assessments
- Create system documentation
- Train and sensitize teams
- Deploy monitoring & logging tools
Internal Audit & Pre-Certification
1-2 months
- Complete internal AIMS audit
- Identify nonconformities
- Implement corrective actions
- Conduct management review
- Perform mock audit (simulation)
Certification Audit
1-2 months
- Stage 1: Documentation Review
- Stage 2: On-Site Audit (2-5 days)
- Stakeholder interviews
- Evidence and proof review
- Verification of effective implementation
Certification Bodies
How We Can Help
We offer 4 packaged services to support you at every stage of your ISO 42001 journey:
Quick Assessment
Evaluate your current maturity level against ISO 42001 requirements and receive a prioritized roadmap for compliance.
Learn MoreArchitecture Review
Complete review by certified expert with prioritized recommendations for your AI governance architecture.
Learn MoreFoundation
11 deliverables covering Vision and Business foundations for a solid AI management system.
Learn MoreCertification Ready
Complete 25-deliverable framework with audit preparation and pre-audit support.
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Have more questions?
Contact UsReady to Assess Your ISO 42001 Compliance?
Start with our free maturity assessment (15 minutes) and receive your personalized report with radar chart within 24-48 hours.
- 42 questions covering 8 domains
- CMMI score (1-5) per clause
- Critical gap identification
- High-level recommendations
- 100% confidential