AI Governance and Compliance Services: Framework Assessment and ISO 42001 Readiness
AI governance assessments for companies building or deploying AI. We map how you govern AI today against ISO/IEC 42001, the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, and the EU AI Act. Then we give you a risk-ranked roadmap. Most assessments take 6–12 weeks.
Page reviewed 29 September 2026 by the Accredify Global compliance team.
What Is AI Governance?
AI governance is the set of policies, roles, and controls an organization uses to make sure its AI systems are safe, fair, transparent, and accountable. It decides who approves an AI use case, how its risks are assessed, how people oversee it, and what happens when it goes wrong.
A framework puts that into a repeatable structure. The best-known are ISO/IEC 42001, which is certifiable, and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, which is voluntary. Laws such as the EU AI Act and the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act set the legal floor.
AI governance compliance means showing, with evidence, that your governance meets the frameworks and laws that apply to you. That is what customers' security reviews, boards, and regulators increasingly ask for.
AI Rules in 2026: The EU AI Act, Texas TRAIGA, and Colorado
The EU AI Act's high-risk deadlines have moved. The Digital Omnibus, now in force, delays obligations for high-risk AI systems listed in Annex III from 2 August 2026 to 2 December 2027. High-risk systems covered by existing EU product legislation now follow on 2 August 2028. Prohibited practices have applied since February 2025.
In our home state, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA) took effect on 1 January 2026. The Texas Attorney General enforces it, with a 60-day cure period. Substantial compliance with the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, or another recognized standard, is a defense. Colorado replaced its 2024 AI Act with SB 26-189, a disclosure-focused law effective 1 January 2027.
Sources: Orrick: Digital Omnibus finalized · Baker Botts: TRAIGA · Seyfarth: Colorado SB 26-189
AI Governance Frameworks Compared: ISO 42001, NIST AI RMF, and the EU AI Act
Most organizations need more than one. This is how the main frameworks differ.
| Framework | What it is | Can you be certified? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO/IEC 42001 | An international management system standard for AI | Yes, by an accredited certification body | Proving AI governance to customers and partners |
| NIST AI RMF 1.0 | A voluntary US framework: Govern, Map, Measure, Manage | No | Structuring AI risk work; a TRAIGA defense |
| EU AI Act | An EU law with risk tiers and obligations | Conformity assessment for some high-risk systems | Companies selling or using AI in the EU |
| ISO/IEC 23894 | Guidance on AI risk management | No | Detailed risk methods inside an ISO 42001 system |
Is There an AI Governance Certification?
Yes, but for two different things. Many searches for AI governance certification are about a professional credential, not certifying a company.
| Question | Organizational certification | Professional certification |
|---|---|---|
| What is certified? | Your organization's AI management system | A person's knowledge of AI governance |
| Main example | ISO/IEC 42001 certification | Credentials such as the IAPP AIGP |
| How is it earned? | Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits by an accredited certification body | Training and an exam |
| Who asks for it? | Customers, partners, boards, and regulators | Employers hiring governance professionals |
Accredify Global certifies organizations to ISO/IEC 42001. See our ISO 42001 certification page.
Which Organizations Need to Govern AI Now?
Most projects start when a customer questionnaire, board, or new law asks how AI is governed.
Enterprise buyers now ask how models are chosen, tested, monitored, and fed customer data.
Copilots, chatbots, and agents rolled out across teams, often without a clear owner or inventory.
AI used in consequential decisions, where Colorado-style notice and explanation duties apply.
Providers and deployers preparing for EU AI Act obligations before the 2027 and 2028 dates.
Developers and deployers who want NIST AI RMF alignment as a documented TRAIGA defense.
How Our Assessment Works
Six stages from scoping call to a roadmap your leadership can act on.
Not sure which AI laws apply, or where to start with governance? A free scoping review answers that first.
Book a free scoping reviewWhat the Assessment Evaluates
We test how governance works in practice, using real AI use cases, not just the policy on file.
AI inventory & use cases
A complete list of AI systems, their purpose, and their risk level.
Roles & accountability
Who approves AI use cases, who owns each system, and how decisions escalate.
Risk & impact assessment
How risks to people and the business are assessed before and after launch.
Data governance
Where training and input data comes from, its quality, and privacy controls.
Human oversight & transparency
When people review AI output, and how users are told AI is involved.
Monitoring & third-party AI
Performance and drift monitoring, incidents, and controls over AI vendors.
What This Work Improves
The outcomes leadership, security, and product teams care about most.
Every AI system gets an owner, an approval path, and a risk level, so nobody is surprised by an AI decision.
Clear answers and evidence for the AI sections of security questionnaires and enterprise due diligence.
Findings mapped to the EU AI Act and NIST AI RMF, so the work supports both EU obligations and a Texas TRAIGA defense.
When you are ready, ISO 42001 certification turns governance into an accredited certificate. Assessment and certification are kept separate, as accreditation rules require.
Assessment Cost and Timeline
There is no list price. The cost follows the number of AI systems in scope and the frameworks you need to meet. A free scoping review gives you a tailored proposal.
What moves the cost
- AI systems — how many are in scope, and how high-risk they are
- Frameworks — ISO 42001 only, or NIST AI RMF and the EU AI Act too
- Build or buy — in-house models need more testing than vendor tools
- Maturity — whether policies and an AI inventory already exist
- Reuse — ISO 27001, SOC 2, or privacy work that can be mapped
How long it takes
| Assessment and roadmap | 6–12 weeks, depending on scope |
|---|---|
| Closing gaps | Set by your roadmap and team capacity |
| ISO 42001 certification | Scheduled once your AI management system is in use |
How to Choose AI Governance Consulting and Assessment Services
The questions worth asking before you sign, and how Accredify Global answers them.
| Question to ask | Accredify Global's answer |
|---|---|
| Which frameworks will you assess against? | ISO 42001, NIST AI RMF, and the EU AI Act, chosen by your markets and customers. |
| Will you test real AI use cases? | Yes. We follow real use cases from approval to monitoring, not just policies. |
| Can you certify us afterwards? | Yes, to ISO 42001. Assessment and certification stay independent, as ISO/IEC 17021-1 requires. |
| Do you give legal advice? | No. Where legal interpretation is needed, we coordinate it within the same plan. |
| How is it priced? | A tailored proposal after a free scoping review. |
Typical Deliverables
How AI is governed today, tested against real use cases.
Gaps in your list of AI systems, owners, and risk levels.
Findings mapped to ISO 42001, NIST AI RMF, and the EU AI Act.
Oversight, transparency, and monitoring improvements in priority order.
Evidence for the AI sections of security questionnaires.
A readiness report for your board and executives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on frameworks, certification, the EU AI Act, Texas TRAIGA, cost, and timeline.
What is AI governance?
AI governance is the set of policies, roles, and controls an organization uses to make sure its AI systems are safe, fair, transparent, and accountable. It covers who approves AI use cases, how risks are assessed, how people oversee AI, and what happens when something goes wrong.
What is an AI governance framework?
An AI governance framework is a structured way to run AI governance consistently. The best-known are ISO/IEC 42001, an international management system standard that can be certified, and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework. The NIST AI RMF is voluntary and built around Govern, Map, Measure, and Manage.
What does AI governance compliance mean?
AI governance compliance means showing, with evidence, that your AI governance meets the frameworks and laws that apply to you. Examples include ISO/IEC 42001, the NIST AI RMF, the EU AI Act, and state laws such as Texas TRAIGA.
Is AI governance the same as ISO/IEC 42001?
No. ISO/IEC 42001 is one structured management system path. AI governance can also include broader policy, oversight, and risk practices outside a certification scope, and legal obligations such as the EU AI Act.
Is there an AI governance certification?
Yes, for two different things. Organizations can certify their AI management system to ISO/IEC 42001 through an accredited certification body. Individuals can earn professional credentials such as the IAPP AIGP through training and an exam.
When do EU AI Act high-risk obligations apply?
The Digital Omnibus delayed them. Obligations for high-risk AI systems listed in Annex III now apply from 2 December 2027. High-risk systems covered by existing EU product legislation follow from 2 August 2028. Prohibited AI practices have applied since February 2025.
What is the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA)?
TRAIGA is a Texas law that took effect on 1 January 2026. It prohibits developing or deploying AI for certain harmful purposes and is enforced by the Texas Attorney General, with a 60-day cure period. Substantial compliance with the NIST AI RMF or another recognized standard is a defense.
What happened to the Colorado AI Act?
Colorado replaced its 2024 AI Act (SB 24-205) with SB 26-189, enacted in May 2026 and effective 1 January 2027. The new law focuses on transparency: notices before AI is used in consequential decisions, explanations after adverse decisions, and record-keeping.
Can an AI governance assessment help before ISO/IEC 42001 certification?
Yes. Many organizations need governance basics, ownership, and evidence discipline in place before they formalize an AI management system. The assessment shows the gaps to close before a certification audit.
Can Accredify Global certify us to ISO/IEC 42001 after the assessment?
Yes. Accredify Global certifies organizations to ISO/IEC 42001. Assessment and certification are kept independent, as ISO/IEC 17021-1 requires, so our assessment identifies gaps and does not write your AI management system for you.
What does an AI governance assessment evaluate?
It evaluates your AI inventory, roles and accountability, risk and impact assessment, and data governance. It also covers human oversight, transparency, monitoring, incidents, and third-party AI, tested against real use cases.
How much does an AI governance assessment cost?
The cost depends on how many AI systems are in scope and how high-risk they are. The frameworks you need and the maturity of current governance also matter. Accredify Global reviews your scope for free and sends a tailored proposal.
How long does an AI governance assessment take?
Most Accredify Global AI governance assessments and roadmaps take 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the number of AI systems and frameworks in scope.
Does AI governance connect to privacy and security?
Yes. AI governance overlaps with data privacy, information security, access control, and decision accountability. Existing ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, or ISO 27701 work can be mapped and reused.
Do you provide legal advice on AI laws?
No. Accredify Global assesses governance and controls. Where legal interpretation of the EU AI Act or state AI laws is needed, we coordinate it within the same plan.
What are AI governance best practices?
Keep a complete AI inventory with an owner for each system, and assess risk and impact before launch. Set clear human oversight for high-impact decisions and tell users when AI is involved. Monitor performance and drift, and control third-party AI through contracts and reviews.
Find Out Where You Stand, Before a Customer or Regulator Asks
Tell us about your AI systems, markets, and the customer or board asking questions. We'll recommend the right frameworks, a timeline, and send a tailored proposal.
Book your free scoping review →