AI conformity assessment
An AI conformity assessment is a regulatory process that evaluates whether an AI system meets legal, technical, and ethical requirements under applicable frameworks.
What is an AI conformity assessment?
An AI conformity assessment is the evaluation procedure required under the EU AI Act to confirm that artificial intelligence systems comply with defined legal and technical standards. These assessments may involve internal reviews or external, third-party audits depending on the risk classification of the system. Organizations use AI conformity assessments to demonstrate accountability, ensure lawful deployment, and provide evidence of compliance to regulators and stakeholders.
Why AI conformity assessment matters
For organizations deploying AI, conformity assessments help build trust, reduce operational risks, and demonstrate a commitment to responsible technology use. They provide documented evidence that systems are safe, compliant, and aligned with business ethics.
From a regulatory perspective, the EU AI Act requires AI conformity assessments for high-risk systems before they are placed on the market or put into use. This ensures that organizations evaluate potential risks, maintain oversight, and safeguard individual rights.
Failure to complete or maintain conformity assessments can expose organizations to fines, reputational damage, and loss of market access, while proactive compliance strengthens transparency and customer confidence.
How AI conformity assessment is used in practice
- Reviewing biometric identification systems with independent third parties to confirm compliance with EU AI Act obligations.
- Documenting risk controls and human oversight mechanisms for AI systems used in recruitment or education.
- Conducting internal conformity reviews for lower-risk AI applications to demonstrate proportional compliance.
- Adjusting processes for regional markets to align with local regulatory requirements.
- Engaging external notified bodies to certify compliance for high-risk AI vendors or third-party providers.
Related laws & standards
- EU AI Act
- EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- UK GDPR
- NIS 2 Directive
- Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)
How OneTrust helps with AI conformity assessment
OneTrust helps organizations manage AI conformity assessments by providing:
- Configurable workflows to guide documentation and risk evaluation
- Centralized evidence management to prepare for audits and regulators
- Automation to support EU AI Act and GDPR compliance requirements
- Collaboration tools for privacy, legal, and engineering teams
- Oversight features to track accountability across high-risk AI systems
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FAQs about AI conformity assessment
An AI conformity assessment verifies compliance with legal and technical standards, while an AI DPIA focuses on identifying and mitigating privacy risks associated with AI processing.
Responsibility is typically shared across compliance, legal, and engineering teams, with oversight by a Data Protection Officer or AI governance lead where required.
It ensures that high-risk AI systems undergo risk evaluation, documentation, and external review when needed, meeting the EU AI Act’s accountability and safety obligations.
