CERTIFICATION
Voluntary Certification
Under Article 69 of the Statute, participation in the IRBAI certification framework is open to entities that are not subject to mandatory certification. Voluntary certification allows developers, deployers and public bodies to have their AI systems assessed against the same standards, by the same assessment infrastructure, as systems certified under the mandatory regime.
A voluntary certificate carries the same technical meaning as a mandatory one. It is granted on the same criteria, audited on the same cadence, and recorded in the same registers. What differs is the legal trigger: the entity chooses assessment before the law requires it.
SCOPE
Who It Is For
Voluntary certification is designed for organizations operating AI systems below the mandatory risk thresholds of Chapter 14 that wish to demonstrate conformity; for developers preparing for reclassification, where growth in capability or deployment would move a system into a mandatory category; for entities in jurisdictions that have not yet acceded to the Statute, seeking recognition ahead of accession; and for public institutions wishing to evidence alignment with IRBAI standards in procurement and operations.
PROCESS
How It Works
The pipeline is the one that applies to every certificate. The entity applies through its IRBAI account, a conformity assessment is conducted by IRBAI or by an Accredited Assessment Body under Article 102, a certification decision follows, and the certificate is maintained through the audit cadence established under Chapter 16 and Annex II. Certified systems and entities are recorded in the certification register.
DEMONSTRATED CONFORMITY
An IRBAI certificate evidences that a system has been assessed against international standards for safety, transparency and accountability.
REGULATORY READINESS
Voluntary assessment prepares an organization for the mandatory regime before reclassification or accession makes certification compulsory.
REGISTER LISTING
Certified systems and entities are recorded in the public certification register maintained by IRBAI.
GUIDANCE AND PROGRAMS
Participants have access to self-assessment tools, audit preparation checklists, workshops and training materials published by IRBAI.
Frequently asked questions
Who may apply for voluntary certification?
Any developer, deployer or operator of an AI system that is not subject to mandatory certification may apply. Applications are made through the IRBAI account portal, using the same application forms as mandatory applicants.
Does voluntary certification create binding obligations?
The decision to apply is voluntary. Once a certificate is granted, maintaining it requires continued conformity, cooperation with the audit cadence, and notification of material changes, on the same terms as any certificate. An entity may withdraw from the framework, in which case the certificate is retired from the register.
Does IRBAI provide consulting services?
No. As a regulatory authority, IRBAI does not consult for the entities it assesses. Published guidelines, compliance frameworks and best practices are available to all organizations without charge.
How should an organization prepare?
Maintain thorough documentation of system design, development and monitoring, and conduct an internal self-assessment against the published criteria. IRBAI publishes audit preparation checklists and structured self-assessment tools to support this work.
What happens if the assessment identifies gaps?
The assessment concludes with findings. The applicant addresses them through corrective actions and a re-assessment follows. The certificate is issued when the criteria are met. Findings from a voluntary assessment are not enforcement action.
Is a voluntary certificate recognized internationally?
The certification registers are public, and mutual recognition arrangements with accredited assessment bodies and national regulators apply to voluntary certificates on the same basis as mandatory ones.
Set up your IRBAI account and apply for voluntary certification
Applications, assessments and certificates are managed through the IRBAI account portal. Available certificates and licences are listed in the Certificates and Licences register.