How trail Helped Unique Achieve ISO/IEC 42001 Certification

Case Study: Empowering AI Governance – How trail Helped Unique AI Achieve ISO/IEC 42001 Certification

Summary

Client: Unique AI

Industry: Financial Services

Company Size: 100+ Employees

Location: Switzerland

Project Duration: 3 Months

Product: trail AI Governance Suite (B2B SaaS Platform)

Certifier: TÜV SÜD

Background

Unique AI is a venture-backed B2B SaaS startup, and its platform pioneers advanced, responsible AI solutions for the financial services industry. The entrepreneurial team creates smart, customizable platforms to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and eliminate administrative tasks.

With increasing demand for responsible AI and regulatory oversight, Unique made a strategic decision to align its AI development and deployment processes with global standards, targeting ISO/IEC 42001, the new standard for AI management systems.

Their existing certifications, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 9001, SOC 2 Type 2, as well as their internally developed AI governance framework, brought them into a perfect position to get ISO 42001 certified.

With this in mind, Unique used the software provider trail to support the company with its AI governance platform and expertise.

The Challenge

Preparing for ISO 42001 included challenges such as the following:

• Uncertainty of requirements Stemming from the standard’s novelty
• Identifying and selecting a certifier that is ready for certification
• Reusability of existing controls & management systems
• Adapting secure software development lifecycle to the required level
• Gaining a centralized oversight for multiple AI initiatives across departments
• Adapting risk assessment processes for AI systems
• Developing impact assessment in line with ISO 42001
• Updating documentation and traceability required for ISO/IEC 42001 compliance

With customer demand for proven responsible AI practices, Unique AI needed a partner that could deliver both technological enablement and compliance guidance fast.

The Solution

Unique selected trail, a B2B SaaS startup specializing in AI lifecycle governance and compliance automation. trail’s platform offers a modular suite tailored to the core requirements of ISO/IEC 42001, including:

✅ Risk & Impact Assessment Tools

Built-in workflows for completing AI risk assessments, ethical impact reviews, and mitigation tracking with a carefully curated risk library.

✅ Governance Automation

Templates, checklists, and AI-powered policy builders aligned with ISO/IEC 42001 requirements, such as roles & responsibilities, AI policy and organizational context.

✅ Structured AI System Lifecycle

trail streamlines your lifecycle, starting with a centralized registry of all AI systems, including their technical documentation and use case descriptions

✅ Audit-Ready Reporting

Real-time dashboards, logs, and document generation capabilities for audit preparation and certification readiness.

✅ Expert Guidance

The expert team at trail, with deep domain knowledge and expertise, such as through the certified lead auditor trainings for ISO 42001, guided Unique through the preparation and auditing process.

Implementation Approach

Phase 1: Discovery & Gap Analysis

• trail facilitated the scoping process and certifier communication
• trail’s team conducted a cross-functional gap analysis, mapping existing practices to ISO 42001 clauses.

Phase 2: System Configuration & Training

• Configured trail modules to reflect Unique’s organizational structure
• Clarifying the intent through the AI policy

Phase 3: Operationalization

• Deployed automated workflows for impact assessments and periodic reviews
• Closely monitor progress with automated flagging for non-compliances

Phase 4: Certification Readiness

• Conducted internal audit & stage 1 audit
• Collaborated with external ISO auditors using trail’s exportable compliance reports for the certification
• Addressed final recommendations and closed minor gaps

The Outcome

✔️ ISO/IEC 42001 certification achieved – On the first audit attempt

✔️ Up-to 75% reduced effort in manual documentation

✔️ Full visibility into 100% of active AI systems and certification progress

✔️ Up-to 50% lower cost than traditional preparation process

✔️ Improved trust & transparency with enterprise clients

Testimonial

About trail

trail is a B2B SaaS startup helping organizations govern, monitor, and scale their AI systems responsibly. Their mission is to simplify AI compliance and accelerate ethical innovation through intelligent automation.

Learn more about trail's support in ISO/IEC 42001 implementation and certification.

Or reach out to the team to discuss your individual certification journey!