ISO 45001
International standard for occupational health and safety management systems
ISO/IEC 42001:2023
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.
ISO 45001
ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
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
ISO/IEC 42001:2023
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Artificial Intelligence Management Systems
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
| Aspect | ISO 45001 | ISO/IEC 42001:2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Occupational health & safety management | Artificial intelligence management systems |
| Industry | All sectors worldwide, scalable | All sectors using AI, universal applicability |
| Nature | Voluntary certification standard | Voluntary certification standard |
| Testing | Internal audits, management reviews | AI impact assessments, lifecycle audits |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no legal fines | Loss of certification, no legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
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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