BSI and DNV Accredited for ISO/IEC 42001

Two global certification bodies – BSI (British Standards Institution) and DNV – have been officially recognized as accredited certification bodies for the ISO/IEC 42001 standard. This international standard lays the foundation for managing artificial intelligence (AI) systems, emphasizing organizational governance, risk management, and adherence to ethical standards.

BSI Accreditation

BSI has been officially recognized as an accredited certification body for ISO/IEC 42001 by the Dutch Accreditation Council (Raad voor Accreditatie, RvA). As one of the first global organizations, BSI offers certification in line with this standard, supporting organizations worldwide in responsibly managing AI systems according to international governance, risk management, and ethical standards.

In November 2024, KPMG Australia became the first organization globally to achieve ISO/IEC 42001 certification issued by BSI. This milestone highlights the importance of this standard as a tool to build trust, enhance transparency, and foster innovation in AI technologies.

“Establishing the guardrails to ensure AI is developed and used ethically and responsibly is essential to bridging the divide”

- said Dr. Michael Weissig, AI Regulatory Services Managing Director at BSI.

“Achieving accredited status reflects BSI’s dedication to supporting organizations in navigating the complexities of AI technology while upholding rigorous standards of quality and integrity"  

- said Graeme Tunbridge, Director at BSI.

The visit by the BSI team to RvA emphasized the importance of global teamwork that contributed to this achievement.

DNV Accreditation

DNV, a leading certification body with a global reach, has also been accredited to certify against the ISO/IEC 42001 standard. The Norwegian organization has been recognized as an accredited body by the Dutch Accreditation Council (Raad voor Accreditatie, RvA). DNV emphasizes that the ISO/IEC 42001 standard supports organizations in identifying AI-related risks and implementing management systems that meet the highest international requirements.

“We are very proud to announce our accreditation from RvA as one of the first global certification bodies worldwide. Certification to the ISO/IEC 42001 standard can be essential for companies to adopt a robust process governance to ensure safe, reliable, and ethical development, implementation, and use of AI”

 - said Barbara Frencia, CEO of Business Assurance at DNV.

Recently, Cognizant became DNV's first client to achieve ISO/IEC 42001 certification. Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant, highlighted: 

“This certification strengthens our role as a trusted leader in enabling ethical and sustainable digital transformation globally.”

Joint Meeting of BSI and DNV at RvA

Based on the photos shared on LinkedIn by BSI, it can be assumed that representatives of BSI and DNV participated in a joint event at the Raad voor Accreditatie headquarters. The ceremony was symbolic, with one of its highlights being the cutting of a cake featuring the logos of both organizations. This gesture underscores the importance of collaboration between these entities in promoting ISO/IEC 42001 standards globally.

Importance of ISO/IEC 42001

The ISO/IEC 42001 standard was created to address the rapidly evolving needs of AI systems management. It focuses on:

• Organizational governance and responsibility for AI system operations,
• Risk management and mitigating potential threats,
• Ensuring compliance with ethical and regulatory standards.

BSI and DNV, as leaders in the certification industry, are at the forefront of promoting this standard, supporting organizations in responsibly implementing and managing AI technologies.

Certification to ISO/IEC 42001 can be crucial for companies aiming to build trust in their AI systems and meet the growing demands of the global market.

Sources of Information

BSI Group – BSI announced as an accredited AI management system certification body

DNV – DNV recognized as accredited certification body for AI management system

LinkedIn Post by BSI: BSI AI Regulatory Services