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AI governance and compliance support for firms deploying AI

ISO/IEC 42001, the EU AI Act, SOC 2, ISO/IEC 27001 and the buyer security reviews that decide enterprise deals, for firms that build, buy or sell AI.

How we can help you

Firms that build, buy or sell AI now answer to two audiences: the regulator, through the EU AI Act and sector rules, and the enterprise buyer, through certification and security review.

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How an engagement runs

  1. AssessAI inventory built, systems classified, and readiness assessed against ISO/IEC 42001, the EU AI Act and buyer requirements.
  2. BuildThe management system, policies, impact assessments and evidence put in place, owned by named people.
  3. AuditThe internal audit performed independently and findings closed before the certification body arrives.
  4. Certify and maintainStage 1 and Stage 2 audits supported to certification, then continuous assurance through surveillance audits and buyer reviews.

What you receive

DeliverableWhat it containsWho relies on it
AI inventory and risk registerEvery AI system the firm develops, buys or embeds, with risk classification and ownerBoard, buyers, auditors
Readiness assessmentGaps against ISO/IEC 42001, the EU AI Act and buyer requirements, prioritisedBoard, compliance
AI management systemScope, risk methodology, statement of applicability, controls and evidenceCertification body
Internal audit reportFindings, severity, owners and closure evidenceBoard, certification body
EU AI Act scoping memoSystems in scope, risk category, obligations and documentation by systemBoard, legal

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In more detail

More on how we can help you

We advise on ISO/IEC 42001, the EU AI Act, SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001, and on the client and buyer reviews that decide enterprise deals.

We run the programme with your compliance function, or as the outsourced senior function. We have advised regulated businesses on authorisation, compliance and regulator engagement since 2013, and senior specialists lead each engagement from first assessment through certification and ongoing assurance.

AI governance readiness

AI systems, policies and evidence assessed against the standard being measured, with the gaps and what certification or client review will require.

AI inventory and classification

A full register of the AI the firm develops, buys or embeds, each system classified by risk with an accountable owner.

ISO/IEC 42001 implementation

The AI management system designed and set up: scope, risk methodology, statement of applicability, controls and supporting evidence.

Internal audit

The annual internal audit ISO/IEC 42001 and ISO/IEC 27001 require, carried out independently and reported to management or the board.

Certification support

Evidence and staff prepared for the Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits, attended through to certification.

EU AI Act scoping

The systems in scope identified, classified by risk category, and the obligations and documentation each attracts mapped.

Buyer and client security reviews

CAIQ, SIG, due diligence and bespoke AI questionnaires answered from approved evidence, with reusable answers for later reviews.

AI policies and procedures

Governance, risk assessment, human oversight, data governance, third-party AI and incident handling policies prepared and reviewed.

Continuous assurance

Evidence kept current between audits: control re-testing, evidence refresh, regulatory change monitoring and questionnaire responses.

More on what you receive

DeliverableWhat it containsWho relies on it
Questionnaire answer libraryApproved answers and evidence for CAIQ, SIG, due diligence and AI questionnairesSales, buyers

EU AI Act: the dates that apply

As amended by the Digital Omnibus on AI, approved by the Council of the EU on 29 June 2026.

1 August 2024
The EU AI Act enters into force
2 February 2025
Prohibited AI practices and AI literacy duties apply
2 August 2025
Obligations for general-purpose AI models and the governance framework apply
2 December 2027
Obligations for high-risk AI systems listed in Annex III apply, including credit scoring and insurance pricing
2 August 2028
Obligations for high-risk AI built into products covered by Annex I apply

The Act reaches firms outside the EU that place AI systems on the EU market or whose AI output is used in the EU. ISO/IEC 42001 certification runs on its own cycle: a Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit by an accredited certification body, annual surveillance audits and recertification every three years, with an internal audit each year. Our guides on ISO/IEC 42001 certification and AI governance for financial services cover each step.

Questions firms ask

Does the EU AI Act apply to firms outside the EU?

Yes, where a firm places an AI system on the EU market, puts it into service in the EU, or uses AI whose output is used in the EU. UK and US firms selling to EU customers are in scope for those systems.

When do the high-risk obligations apply?

From 2 December 2027 for the high-risk systems listed in Annex III, which include credit scoring and life and health insurance pricing, and from 2 August 2028 for high-risk AI built into regulated products, following the Digital Omnibus on AI.

Can you certify us to ISO/IEC 42001?

Certification is issued by an accredited certification body. We prepare the AI management system and the evidence, prepare staff for the Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits and attend them through to certification.

Who performs the internal audit?

ISO/IEC 42001 and ISO/IEC 27001 both require an internal audit each year, which the certification body cannot perform. We carry it out with a team independent of any implementation work and report to management or the board.

How does ISO/IEC 42001 relate to ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2?

They share a management system structure. A firm certified to ISO/IEC 27001 or reporting under SOC 2 reuses its governance, risk and evidence processes, and adds the AI-specific controls, impact assessments and lifecycle requirements.

Do you answer buyer security and AI questionnaires?

Yes. We answer CAIQ, SIG, due diligence and bespoke AI questionnaires from approved evidence, and build a library of reusable answers that shortens every later review.

Sources

  • EU AI Act: the dates that apply, 1 August 2024: Regulation (EU) 2024/1689
  • EU AI Act: the dates that apply, 2 February 2025: AI Act, Article 113
  • EU AI Act: the dates that apply, 2 August 2025: AI Act, Article 113
  • EU AI Act: the dates that apply, 2 December 2027: Digital Omnibus on AI
  • EU AI Act: the dates that apply, 2 August 2028: Digital Omnibus on AI

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