Get ISO 42001 certified with trail
Prepare for the first internationally accredited and certifiable AI management standard with trail. An AIMS as a software, combined with expert guidance.
The trail governance platform can be used as an AI management system aligned with ISO 42001.
It's so much more than just a checklist
Faster time to certification
Achieve ISO/IEC 42001 certification faster with automated workflows, structured and field-tested templates, and expert guidance — cutting down months of manual effort.
Out-of-the-Box AIMS
Skip the complexity of building a continuously up-to-date AI Management System from scratch. Our software trail provides a ready-to-use framework aligned with ISO/IEC 42001 from the moment you log in.
Proven path to success
Our system supports structured evidence collection, transparent reporting to the auditor, and actionable steps towards certification and fulfilling requirements. Learn from our audit expertise on request.
Great reasons for an
AI Management System
The ISO/IEC 42001 provides a foundational framework for responsible AI management and helps you to build trust with your customers.
Accelerate Innovation
Pioneer the power of standardization in AI to set clear guidelines for innovation
Manage Risks
Actively mitigate risks and be prepared for upcoming regulation, such as the EU AI Act
Signal Trust
Build your reputation as a pioneer in responsible AI through external certification
Voices from one of Europe's first
ISO 42001 certifications
trail has supported Europe's first ISO 42001 certification in the financial services
trail’s knowledgeable team and powerful platform align perfectly with our mission for responsible AI. Their tool streamlined our path to ISO 42001 certification by transforming the AI Management System (AIMS) creation into clear, actionable steps - eliminating the need to manually interpret norms or create tickets from scratch. With progress tracking, seamless collaboration, and smart evidence mapping, trail made the process faster and more transparent. Their AI Policy generation also helped us communicate our commitment to AI governance, strengthening trust with stakeholders.”
It was a pleasure to partner with trail on this exciting pilot project - the first TÜV SÜD ISO/IEC 42001 certification in Europe. Trail played a crucial role in the project's success with their knowledgeable team and innovative software tooling, which made the preparation and auditing process clearer and more efficient. Their client Unique AG was well-prepared for ISO 42001, and we are glad to see the successful completion of the audit.”
From Scoping to Final Audit:
An effective process to get ISO ready!
Assess your status quo, find out what gaps you will need to fill. The trail copilot will help you already with a curated template.
Use trail's smart workflows to translate the ISO/IEC 42001 requirements into actionable steps, and collect all the necessary evidence on the platform.
trail helps to facilitate all internal and external audits by providing special auditor views directly where you are collecting the evidence. We also connect you with a suitable auditor if you have none yet.
Adjust your actions taken depending on the feedback of the audits and review your evidence. Your auditor performs the final audit, and you will get ISO/IEC 42001 certified in lightning speed.
Be prepared for any surveillance audits in the upcoming years after acquiring the certification.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have open questions about trail's support with your ISO/IEC 42001 implementation? Find an answer in our FAQ below, or send your question directly to hello@trail-ml.com.
In short, ISO/IEC 42001 is the first internationally recognized standard for AI management systems (AIMS). It provides a structured framework for organizations to manage the risks, responsibilities, and ethical implications of using artificial intelligence. The standard covers areas such as AI governance and accountability, risk and impact assessments, data quality and bias mitigation, and human oversight and transparency. By implementing ISO 42001, companies can demonstrate that they’re using AI responsibly, ethically, and in line with global best practices.
In general, any company that has AI use cases and wants to signal their trustworthiness to their customers should consider getting ISO/IEC 42001 certified. Also, when you want to bring more structure to your AI management and if you want to prepare for regulation, the ISO/IEC 42001 can be a great solution for you.
No — using trail does not automatically make you ISO 42001-certified. trail prepares you for certification and gives you all the tools to build, document, and maintain an ISO 42001-compliant AI management system (AIMS). But certification must come from an external certifier, such as TÜV Süd, DEKRA, or BSI.
We've supported one of the very first ISO/IEC 42001 certifications of a client in the financial services in Europe, and in close collaboration with a certification body.
Our team has diverse expertise in AI Governance and covers technical, as well as compliance aspects. We also have a certified ISO/IEC 42001 lead auditor as an in-house expert. The trail team has experience in advising companies in AI Governance, as well as implementing our governance solution trail in SMEs and enterprises with high-risk AI use cases. This enables us to guide you in practicing AI Governance, both to scale your AI adoption rates and to prepare you for upcoming regulation, such as the EU AI Act.
Yes, we have established connections to competent auditors and renowned certification bodies across Europe, but also on an international level. If you do not have a suitable auditor yet, we can help you find someone — just ask us!
No — ISO 42001 is a voluntary standard, not a legal requirement. However, it’s rapidly becoming a key trust signal for companies building or deploying AI systems. Much like ISO 27001 for information security, ISO 42001 helps you stay ahead of regulatory developments, meet stakeholder expectations, and build trust with customers, regulators, and partners.
trail is designed for any organization developing and deploying AI systems — whether you're a SME, enterprise, public institution, or consultancy. It’s especially valuable for companies preparing for ISO 42001 certification, AI teams looking to operationalize governance, compliance or risk teams managing AI-related risks, and consultants supporting clients through certification. Whether you're just starting or scaling up your AI governance, trail helps you structure your processes and become compliant in a smart way.
trail does not issue certifications directly. We support your certification journey with any certification body, including TÜV Süd, DEKRA, and others. This certification body is then issuing your certificate.
trail accelerates the path to ISO 42001 certification by helping you set up an AI management system aligned with the standard’s requirements. Using trail, you can build your AI management system with pre-built templates and governance tools, document policies, roles, and risk assessments directly on our platform, and track compliance with the help of an intelligent copilot. When you're ready, you can export structured documentation for review by a certification body like TÜV Süd or DEKRA and proceed with your preferred certifier to complete the audit.
The time it takes to get certified depends on how mature your current AI management and use case landscape is. Organizations with prior experience in standards like ISO 27001 or established AI risk management practices may experience faster certification. trail helps accelerate the process by centralizing documentation, guiding you through each step, and keeping your system aligned with the latest requirements. You can start by taking our free ISO 42001 readiness assessment to get a tailored evaluation of your current status and next steps.
