ServicesISO 42001 Planning & Consulting
ISO 42001 & Governance

Build AI your organization can stand behind.

Governance frameworks, AI Management Systems, and certification readiness for any organization adopting AI.

ISO 42001 Lead Implementer
ISO/IEC 42001:2023
AI Management Systems
Certified ISO 42001 Lead Implementer
Kate Waldhauser
Violet Beacon
The Problem

Most organizations are adopting AI faster than their governance can keep up.

No AI policies

Teams are using AI tools without guidelines, creating risk your organization cannot see.

Unknown risk exposure

Without a framework, you cannot assess what AI is doing to your data, your decisions, or your reputation.

Stakeholder trust gaps

Boards, clients, and regulators are asking questions about AI governance you cannot yet answer.

Services in this area

Choose the ISO 42001 engagement that fits where you are

ISO 42001 Gap Assessment
Find out exactly where you stand against the standard
Start here

Before committing to full certification, it helps to know exactly where your organization stands. We evaluate your current state against every ISO 42001 clause, review existing documentation, interview stakeholders, and deliver an honest, specific gap analysis with a prioritized roadmap to compliance.

What's included
  • Current-state evaluation against all ISO 42001 clauses
  • Documentation review
  • Stakeholder interviews
  • Written gap analysis report
  • Prioritized roadmap to compliance
What you'll walk away with
  • Clear picture of what's ready and what needs work
  • Realistic timeline and budget for certification
  • Confidence to make a go/no-go decision
  • A roadmap your team can execute
Best for: Organizations considering ISO 42001 but unsure of the effort required.
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AI Management System (AIMS) Design
The complete management system ISO 42001 requires
Most popular

The core of ISO 42001 is a functioning AI Management System. We design the full AIMS tailored to your organization — scope, policies, risk methodology, objectives, and resource planning. Not a template. A system built for how your organization actually works, that meets every requirement of the standard.

What's included
  • AIMS scope and boundaries
  • Leadership commitment framework
  • AI policy suite
  • Risk and impact assessment methodology
  • Objectives and performance metrics
  • Resource and competency planning
What you'll walk away with
  • A fully designed AIMS ready for implementation
  • Documentation that meets ISO 42001 requirements
  • Clear roles and responsibilities
  • A system built for your organization from the ground up
Best for: Organizations committed to certification and ready to build the management system.
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Implementation & Internal Audit
Put the system into practice and validate it works

A designed system only matters if it works in practice. We help you implement the AIMS across your organization — training staff, running internal audits, facilitating management reviews, and tracking corrective actions. By the end, your system isn't just documented; it's operating and audit-ready.

What's included
  • Implementation support and coaching
  • Staff awareness and training
  • Internal audit planning and execution
  • Management review facilitation
  • Nonconformity tracking and corrective actions
  • Certification body preparation
What you'll walk away with
  • A live, functioning AIMS your team actually uses
  • Internal audit evidence package
  • Management review records
  • Readiness for Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits
Best for: Organizations with an AIMS designed and ready to operationalize it.
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Full Certification Journey
Gap assessment through certification, guided end to end
Comprehensive

The complete path from wherever you are today to ISO 42001 certification. One engagement, one partner, no handoffs. We guide you through gap assessment, AIMS design, implementation, internal audit, and certification body preparation — so nothing falls through the cracks.

What's included
  • Everything above in a single engagement
  • Continuous support through certification body audits
  • Post-certification transition planning
What you'll walk away with
  • ISO 42001 certification
  • A sustainable management system
  • Competitive differentiation in your market
  • Confidence in your AI governance posture
Best for: Organizations that want one partner from start to certified.
Schedule a free call →
The ISO Framework

Built on Plan-Do-Check-Act

ISO 42001 follows the proven PDCA cycle. Every AI management system we build follows this structure.

ISO 42001 AIMS Cycle PLAN Risk assessment & policy design DO Implement controls & documentation CHECK Audit, measure & review ACT Improve & iterate continuously
Education

ISO 42001 in plain English

ISO 42001 is the international standard for AI management systems. It provides a framework for organizations to manage AI responsibly, covering governance, risk assessment, transparency, and continuous improvement. It applies to any organization using AI, regardless of industry or size.

Read our full Responsible AI guide →
How It Works

A clear path from where you are to where you want to be.

Step 1

Discovery

Current state audit of your AI use, policies, and governance posture.

You'll have: A clear picture of where you stand

Step 2

Gap Analysis

Map your current state against ISO 42001 requirements and identify gaps.

You'll have: A prioritized gap report

Step 3

Framework Build

Design and document your AIMS, policies, risk frameworks, and controls.

You'll have: Complete governance documentation

Step 4

Implementation & Certification Prep

Roll out your governance framework and prepare for external certification.

You'll have: Certification-ready organization

Who This Is For

Organizations that need governance they can stand behind

Regulated Industries

Healthcare, finance, education, and government organizations with compliance obligations.

Non-Profits & Mission-Driven Orgs

Organizations where AI decisions affect vulnerable populations or public trust.

Enterprise Teams

Organizations with stakeholder trust requirements and board-level accountability needs.

Any Organization Pursuing Certification

Teams preparing for ISO 42001 certification who want expert guidance through the process.

K
Kurt
Google Review, AI Strategy
★★★★★

Truly magnificent and unparalleled thinking. When you are considering safety and responsibility in your organization's use of artificial intelligence, look no further than Violet Beacon.

Related Services

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From the Blog

Related reading on AI governance & ISO 42001

ISO 42001 Lead Implementer
Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ISO 42001 planning

What is ISO 42001?
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ISO/IEC 42001 is the international standard for AI Management Systems (AIMS). It provides a framework for organizations to manage the risks and opportunities of AI responsibly, covering governance, risk assessment, data management, and continuous improvement.

Do we need to get certified, or can we just align with the standard?
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Either approach works. Many organizations use ISO 42001 as a governance framework without pursuing formal certification. Others need certification for regulatory, contractual, or competitive reasons. We help with both paths.

How long does it take to become ISO 42001 ready?
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For most small to mid-size organizations, the planning and documentation phase takes 6–12 weeks. Full certification readiness depends on the complexity of your AI systems and how much governance infrastructure already exists.

What's included in the AIMS (AI Management System)?
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An AIMS includes your AI governance policies, risk assessment procedures, roles and responsibilities, data management protocols, monitoring and review processes, and documentation. We build all of this with you, tailored to your organization.

Is ISO 42001 relevant if we only use third-party AI tools?
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Yes. ISO 42001 applies to any organization that uses, develops, or deploys AI — including teams that rely on third-party tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, or AI-powered SaaS platforms. Governance matters regardless of who built the AI.

Ready to build your AI governance framework?

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