Standards Comparison

    ISO 45001

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for occupational health and safety management systems

    VS

    ISO/IEC 42001:2023

    Voluntary
    2023

    International standard for AI management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 45001 provides OH&S management systems for workplace safety across industries, while ISO/IEC 42001:2023 establishes AI governance frameworks for ethical AI risks. Companies adopt them for certification, risk reduction, regulatory alignment, and integrated management system benefits.

    Occupational Health & Safety

    ISO 45001

    ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Mandates top management accountability and worker participation
    • Requires hierarchy of controls prioritizing hazard elimination
    • Applies risk-based approach to risks and opportunities
    • Aligns with High-Level Structure for IMS integration
    • Drives continual improvement via PDCA cycle
    AI Management

    ISO/IEC 42001:2023

    ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Artificial Intelligence Management Systems

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • PDCA-based framework for AI governance
    • Mandatory AI Impact Assessments for high-risk AI
    • Annex A with 38 AI-specific controls
    • HLS integration with ISO 27001/9001
    • Full AI lifecycle management controls

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    ISO 45001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It provides a framework to prevent work-related injuries and ill health, improve OH&S performance, and integrate safety into business processes using a risk-based, PDCA approach aligned with Annex SL.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
    • Emphasizes hierarchy of controls, worker participation, and management of change/contractors.
    • Built on PDCA cycle; no fixed controls but outcome-focused requirements.
    • Supports certification via accredited third-party audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Reduces incidents, legal risks, and costs; enhances resilience and insurance savings.
    • Builds stakeholder trust, talent retention, and market advantage.
    • Enables IMS integration with ISO 9001/14001 for efficiency.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, controls, audits, certification.
    • Scalable for all sizes/sectors; 6-12 months typical.
    • Requires leadership commitment, training, and continual improvement.

    ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 42001:2023 is the world's first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS), specifying requirements to govern AI responsibly. It uses a risk-based Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology and High-Level Structure (HLS), applicable to any organization developing, providing, or using AI.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10: Context, leadership, planning (risks/AIIAs), support, operation, evaluation, improvement
    • **Annex A38 AI-specific controls for bias, transparency, resiliency, third-parties
    • Built on PDCA/HLS for ISO 27001/9001 integration
    • Third-party certification with 3-year validity, surveillance audits

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mitigates AI risks (bias, ethics, drift) while enabling innovation; aligns with EU AI Act; boosts trust/reputation (Microsoft Copilot certified); cuts costs via synergies; competitive edge, SDG alignment.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, policies, AIIAs, lifecycle controls, KPIs. For all sizes/sectors; 6-12 months typical; tools like ISMS.online aid; audit-ready via documentation/training.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 45001
    Occupational health & safety management
    ISO/IEC 42001:2023
    Artificial intelligence management systems

    Industry

    ISO 45001
    All sectors worldwide, scalable
    ISO/IEC 42001:2023
    All sectors using AI, universal applicability

    Nature

    ISO 45001
    Voluntary certification standard
    ISO/IEC 42001:2023
    Voluntary certification standard

    Testing

    ISO 45001
    Internal audits, management reviews
    ISO/IEC 42001:2023
    AI impact assessments, lifecycle audits

    Penalties

    ISO 45001
    Loss of certification, no legal fines
    ISO/IEC 42001:2023
    Loss of certification, no legal fines

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 45001 and ISO/IEC 42001:2023

    ISO 45001 FAQ

    ISO/IEC 42001:2023 FAQ

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