Independent Assurance for High-Confidence AI Governance
As artificial intelligence becomes subject to formal regulation, voluntary claims of responsible AI are no longer sufficient.
Regulators, customers, and enterprise buyers increasingly expect independent evidence that AI systems are governed, controlled, and overseen in line with emerging legal and ethical requirements.
Trust AI Essentials Plus provides that assurance.
It is an independent, advanced certification that validates an organisation’s AI governance framework, controls, and practices against recognised regulatory and international principles.
What Is Trust AI Essentials Plus?
Trust AI Essentials Plus is an independently assessed certification designed for organisations that require a higher level of confidence than self-assessment alone can provide.
It builds on Trust AI Essentials by introducing:
- Independent review
- Evidence-based validation
- Structured assurance reporting
The certification is designed to demonstrate that AI governance controls are implemented, operational, and effective, not merely documented.
Regulatory and Standards Alignment
Trust AI Essentials Plus is designed to support demonstrable alignment with:
EU AI Act
- Governance and oversight expectations for high-risk AI systems
- Accountability and risk management obligations
- Transparency, documentation, and control requirements
OECD AI Principles
- Lawfulness and respect for human rights
- Transparency and explainability
- Robustness, security, and safety
- Accountability and responsible oversight
The assessment focuses on governance capability, not model performance, enabling applicability across sectors, sizes, and AI use cases.
What Is Assessed
The certification evaluates the organisation’s AI governance across key domains, including:
- AI governance structure and accountability
- AI risk identification and management
- Policies, standards, and control implementation
- Human oversight and escalation mechanisms
- Data protection and security controls
- Transparency, documentation, and record-keeping
- Monitoring, review, and continuous improvement
Assessment is evidence-based and proportionate to the organisation’s size, complexity, and AI risk profile.
Independent Assessment Model
Trust AI Essentials Plus is delivered through an independent certification model:
- Trust AI Standards defines and owns the certification framework
- Approved Certification Bodies conduct the assessments
- Clear separation between standard-setting and certification delivery
- Objective, auditable outcomes
This model ensures credibility, consistency, and trust.
Who Should Use Trust AI Essentials Plus?
Trust AI Essentials Plus is suitable for organisations that:
- Deploy AI systems with elevated risk or impact
- Operate in regulated or highly scrutinised sectors
- Supply AI-enabled products or services to enterprise customers
- Require third-party assurance for procurement or contractual purposes
- Want to move beyond self-declaration to independent validation
Certification Outcomes
Organisations that achieve Trust AI Essentials Plus receive:
- Independent certification status
- Verified alignment with EU AI Act and OECD AI Principles
- Inclusion in the Trust AI public certification registry
- A clear assurance signal for regulators, customers, and stakeholders
A Clear Progression Path
Trust AI Essentials Plus forms part of a structured AI assurance journey:
- Trust AI Essentials
Verified baseline self-assessment - Trust AI Essentials Plus
Independent advanced certification - Trust AI Governance Professional
Certified individual accountability and competence
Together, these certifications provide organisational and professional assurance for trustworthy AI.
Begin Your Independent AI Assurance Journey
Trust AI Essentials Plus enables organisations to move from intent to evidence. It provides a practical, scalable way to demonstrate that AI governance is not only designed, but independently validated.