ISO/IEC 42001:2023
International standard for AI management systems
ISO 27701
International standard for privacy information management systems
Quick Verdict
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 governs AI risks via AIMS for ethical innovation, while ISO 27701 manages PII privacy through PIMS for regulatory compliance. Companies adopt 42001 for trustworthy AI trust and 27701 for data protection accountability.
ISO/IEC 42001:2023
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Artificial intelligence — Management system
Key Features
- Establishes AI Management System using PDCA cycle
- Mandates AI Impact Assessments for high-risk systems
- Annex A with 38 AI-specific controls
- High-Level Structure integrates with ISO 27001
- Manages full AI lifecycle risks and opportunities
ISO 27701
ISO/IEC 27701:2025 Privacy Information Management System
Key Features
- Stand-alone PIMS for PII controllers and processors
- Role-specific privacy controls in Annex A/B
- Aligned with ISO 27001:2022 PDCA cycle
- GDPR and regulatory compliance mappings
- Risk-based DPIAs and data subject rights
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 — Artificial intelligence — Management system is the world's first international certification standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS). It uses a risk-based PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) methodology to govern AI responsibly across the full lifecycle, applicable to any organization as AI developer, provider, producer, or user.
Key Components
- Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
- Annex A lists 38 AI-specific controls for risks like bias, transparency, and resiliency.
- Built on High-Level Structure (HLS/Annex SL) for integration with ISO 9001/27001.
- Third-party certification via accredited auditors, with 3-year validity and surveillance.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives ethical AI, regulatory alignment (e.g., EU AI Act), risk mitigation, and innovation. Enhances trust, procurement advantages, insurance savings, and competitive differentiation in AI ecosystems.
Implementation Overview
Phased gap analysis, AIIAs, training, and tools like ISMS.online. Suited for all sizes/sectors; typical 6-12 months with existing ISO systems accelerating via 64% overlap.
ISO 27701 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27701:2025 is the international standard specifying requirements for a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It extends ISO/IEC 27001 with privacy-focused guidance for managing personally identifiable information (PII) across its lifecycle, emphasizing accountability for PII controllers and processors via a risk-based, PDCA approach.
Key Components
- Clauses 4–10: Context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
- Annex A/B: Role-specific controls (controllers/processors) on consent, rights, transfers.
- Mappings to GDPR (Annex D), ISO 27002.
- Certification: 3-year cycle with surveillance audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets global privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA), reduces fines/reputational risk.
- Builds trust, aids procurement, harmonizes compliance.
- Enables data minimization, breach preparedness, competitive differentiation.
Implementation Overview
- Phased **PDCAScope/PII inventory, gap analysis, controls, audits.
- Suits all sizes/sectors handling PII; integrates with ISMS.
- ~6-12 months typical; certification via accredited bodies recommended.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO/IEC 42001:2023 | ISO 27701 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | AI lifecycle governance and risks | PII privacy management and controls |
| Industry | All sectors using AI globally | All sectors processing PII globally |
| Nature | Voluntary AIMS certification standard | Voluntary PIMS certification standard |
| Testing | Third-party audits, AIIAs, metrics | Third-party audits, DPIAs, DSARs |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no fines | Loss of certification, no fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO/IEC 42001:2023 and ISO 27701
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 FAQ
ISO 27701 FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

Top 10 NIST CSF 2.0 Myths Busted: Separating Hype from Reality for Smarter Adoption
Bust 10 NIST CSF 2.0 myths like 'only for critical infrastructure' or 'Govern replaces Identify'. Plain-English breakdowns, evidence, and fixes for flexible ris

Top 5 Reasons NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 Overlays Unlock AI Risk Management for Private Sector Enterprises in 2025
Top 5 reasons NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 AI overlays unlock risk management for private enterprises. Tailorable controls combat model poisoning & data leakage. CISO i

HITRUST CSF MyCSF Platform Mastery: Infograph of Evidence Tagging Workflows and Top 5 Maturity Tier Acceleration Takeaways
Master MyCSF platform with infographics on evidence tagging for 1,400+ HITRUST controls across 19 domains. Cut documentation by 30%, boost Measured/Managed tier
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
POPIA vs GDPR UK
Discover POPIA vs GDPR UK: Key differences in scope (juristic persons), rights, enforcement & compliance. Navigate SA-UK privacy laws effortlessly now!
ISO 45001 vs ISO 13485
Compare ISO 45001 vs ISO 13485: OH&S safety leadership & worker focus vs medical device QMS with design controls, validation & regulatory compliance. Discover key differences & integration tips.
ISO 37001 vs LEED
ISO 37001 vs LEED: Anti-bribery governance meets green building excellence. Compare key differences, compliance benefits & sustainability gains. Optimize ethics + ESG now!