Why the Standard Matters
Here’s the thing: the AI audit scene in the UK has become a free-for-all. Countless small outfits, some even building AI tools themselves, are offering audit services with no consistent approach or accountability. That raises serious red flags about conflicts of interest, inconsistent rigor, and potential harm to businesses and consumers.
Enter BS ISO/IEC 42006:2025. Developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI), this is the world’s first international standard specifically for organizations that audit AI systems, not just the systems themselves. It sets a clear framework for competency, methodology, and ethics, aiming to push the AI assurance market from fragmented to dependable.
What the Standard Covers
Competency and Quality Controls
Auditors must follow structured protocols and meet qualification criteria before certifying an AI system. This ensures auditors are held to a consistent vetting standard.
Alignment with Existing AI Governance
It complements BS ISO/IEC 42001, released in 2023, which lays out how organizations should manage AI systems. In simple terms: ISO 42001 governs how companies build and oversee AI. ISO 42006 judges those who audit that governance.
Filling a Regulatory Gap
So far, dozens of firms claim to provide AI assurance. Some merely check off legal boxes, others give informal assessments. The new standard aims to weed out light-touch services and ensure trust across audits.
Who’s Behind It and When It Takes Effect
This isn’t some off-the-cuff move. BSI worked with local and international experts to build this standard, signaling the UK’s intent to shape global AI governance. Think of it as a lighthouse. Regulators, investors, and customers can now look for certified auditors rather than fly-by-night operators.
It debuted publicly on July 21, 2025, and firms are expected to align their audit practices to it soon.
What It Means for the AI Ecosystem
Boost in Trust and Transparency
With clear criteria and checks in place, audits will carry more weight. As BSI’s Global Digital Director Mark Thirwell puts it, consistent evaluations are essential to build confidence in AI.
Competitive Clarification
Small boutique outfits used to compete with the Big Four by offering loosely defined audits. Now they must meet the same bar or get edged out.
Supporting Regulation and Investment
As countries like those in the EU roll out AI-specific legislation, this standard gives UK-based certifiers a benchmark that aligns with global moves, benefiting investors and regulators alike.
Looking Ahead
What this really means is the UK is pulling ahead in ethical AI governance, using standards to nudge the market in a clear direction. Expect this to ripple into global frameworks and inspire similar moves elsewhere. For auditors and consultancies, it’s now or never. Either adopt the standard or risk losing out.
In short, BS ISO/IEC 42006:2025 marks the end of the wild west AI audit era and the start of a professional, standards-driven regime. And that’s a solid step toward safer, more transparent AI.
