ISOQAR, a UK certification body, has achieved UKAS accreditation to offer ISO/IEC 42001, the first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems.
This milestone, the company states, will support UK businesses in developing and deploying AI technologies.
Released in 2023, the standard provides guidance and frameworks for managing risks and governance and for leveraging opportunities related to AI-based products and services.
ISOQAR was also one of a select group of certification bodies chosen to participate in the UKAS development pilot, contributing to the early refinement of the accreditation approach for this emerging standard.
Through this pilot, ISOQAR gained first-hand insight into how assessment criteria and methodologies were shaped as UKAS worked closely with pilot CABs to establish robust, consistent expectations.
This UKAS accreditation enables ISOQAR to deliver ISO/IEC 42001 certification aligned with internationally recognised expectations for responsible, transparent and well‑governed AI systems.
For UK organisations, this means independent and unbiased assurance at a time when AI regulation is under increased scrutiny from procurement teams, regulators and customers.
ISOQAR said in its statement that the ISO/IEC 42001 certification and UKAS accreditation will continue to meet the needs of stakeholders and organisations operating in key UK sectors, including IT and telecommunications, retail, healthcare, manufacturing and automotive.
It will provide organisations developing, integrating or relying on AI systems with further assurance that they are developing and deploying AI safely, responsibly and in line with potential future policy changes.
Natalie Walker, Director of Risk & Compliance at ISOQAR, said: "This is a major milestone for ISOQAR and for the organisations we support."
ISO/IEC 42001 is one of our most important certifications, especially at a time where AI continues to change at pace and organisations face increasing pressure to govern its use responsibly.
"Being part of the UKAS pilot scheme allowed us to contribute to the development of this accreditation from an early stage and now, by offering a UKAS-accredited ISO/IEC 42001 certification, we are proud to give our clients added confidence that their AI management systems are robust, future-focused and aligned with international best practice."
"As AI regulation and expectations continue to develop, we remain committed to supporting our clients in building trusted, transparent AI frameworks and helping organisations to achieve their highest potential."