ISO/IEC 42001:2023, published in December 2023, is the world's first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS). Following the same High Level Structure as ISO 27001, ISO 9001, and other ISO management system standards, it provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving policies and objectives related to the responsible development and use of AI systems. Certification is conducted by accredited third-party bodies — making it the only auditable, internationally recognised AI governance credential.

ISO 42001 addresses the full AI lifecycle — from system design and data governance through deployment, monitoring, and decommissioning — through a risk-based, context-sensitive approach. It covers organisations in all roles: AI Developers (building AI systems), AI Providers (deploying AI as a service), and AI Users/Customers (integrating AI into products or operations). The standard includes 38 annex controls covering responsible AI use, data quality, transparency, human oversight, and impact assessments.

🌍 2026 Context: ISO 42001 is now the benchmark for AI governance globally — referenced by SEBI's AI in financial services guidelines, MeitY's AI framework discussions, and the EU AI Act's conformity assessment pathway for high-risk AI systems. Indian AI-driven companies pursuing EU or enterprise contracts will increasingly need ISO 42001 alongside ISO 27001.