BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026

There are no technical differences between BS ISO/IEC 42001:2023 and BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026. The 2026 version is the European and UK adoption of the same standard, with no changes to its requirements or guidance. If you purchased BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 in error and already hold BS ISO/IEC 42001:2023, please contact Client Relations at cservices@bsigroup.com to request a refund, if needed.

What is BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 – Artificial intelligence management system about?

As the adoption of AI systems becomes more widespread, BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 provides a certifiable AI management system framework within which AI products can be developed as part of an AI assurance ecosystem. The endgame is to help businesses and society get the most benefit from AI, while also reassuring stakeholders that systems are being developed responsibly. 

Who is BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 - Artificial intelligence management system for?

AI covers all sectors and is of interest to governments, academia and businesses involved in its development and deployment globally. This includes industry verticals likely to deploy AI such as IT and telecommunication, retail and e-commerce, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive and others.

Specific users of BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 will likely be:

• AI consultants
  
• AI policy staff
  
• senior staff looking to input/adapt AI into their business
  
• AI solution and service providers, which could span across machine learning,
• NLP/natural language processing, computer vision
  
• AI researchers
  
• AI standards developers
  
• user of management system standards
  
• C-level management.

What does BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 - Artificial intelligence management system cover?

BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 specifies requirements and provides guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an AI management system within the context of an organization.

BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 helps organizations develop or use AI systems responsibly:

• In pursuing their objectives
  
• In meeting applicable regulatory requirements
  
• In meeting their obligations in relation to interested parties and their expectations.

Why should you use BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 - Artificial intelligence management system?

The overarching purpose of BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 is to establish competence and confidence so that both businesses and society at large can maximize the benefits derived from AI technology.

To that end, you should use BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 because:

• It can help build trust in AI systems. Implementing BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 will demonstrate to stakeholders that you’re developing AI responsibly and well.
  
• It’s effective. It can help users improve the quality, security, traceability, transparency and reliability of AI applications. It can solve some of the implementation challenges of AI.
  
• It can help accelerate AI development. By creating a more stable and predictable environment for AI systems’ development and deployment, BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 can improve your capacity for AI implementation, innovation and adoption.
• It can reduce the costs of AI development. Because you can rely on the framework, protocols and guidelines in the BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 management system rather than having to create them from scratch, you can reduce the costs of developing and deploying AI systems. BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 also creates a platform that helps you respond and adapt to rapid developments within AI technology and to scale up AI systems more easily without incurring additional costs.
  
• It makes life simpler. BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 is aligned to the well-established structure of the other international management system standards, so users can build on their existing MSS compliance structure. Also, as an internationally recognized and trusted management system standard, it’s averting the development of a fragmented landscape of isolated guidelines, so preventing regulatory and market confusion.
  
• It can help organizations maintain compliance and promote accountability. By establishing clear lines of responsibility, BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 helps you demonstrate compliance with both legal and ethical obligations and align with the UK Government’s National AI Strategy.
  
• It can help organizations meet customer, staff and other stakeholder expectation. BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 promotes the ethical and responsible use of AI, which will be expected by end-users as the technology is increasingly integrated into their daily lives.
  As a well thought-through, internationally agreed document, it can also help you improve efficiency and manage risk effectively, as well as enter new markets more easily.

To learn more about what BS EN ISO/IEC 42001:2026 covers and its benefits, listen to The Standards Show podcast episode here.