On December 18, 2024, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) published CEN/CLC/TR 17894:2024, a new technical report titled “Artificial Intelligence – Artificial Intelligence Conformity Assessment”. This standard aims to provide a comprehensive framework for assessing the conformity of AI systems, offering valuable guidance for companies developing and implementing AI technologies.
Key features of CEN/CLC/TR 17894:2024
The technical report focuses on several crucial aspects of AI conformity assessment:
Review of current methods: It outlines existing practices, tools, and conditions for conformity assessment relevant to AI systems development and usage.
Broad scope: The standard addresses conformity assessment for products, services, processes, management systems, and organizations related to AI.
Industry perspectives: It incorporates both horizontal (industry-agnostic) and vertical (industry-specific) perspectives on AI conformity assessment.
Specific AI challenges: The report examines how AI poses unique challenges in assessing software engineering, data quality, and engineering processes.
Policy alignment: It takes into account requirements from policy frameworks such as the EU AI strategy and those from CEN and CENELEC member countries.
How this Technical Report (TR) can guide companies
Standardized Approach: Companies can use this technical report to adopt a standardized approach to AI conformity assessment, ensuring they meet recognized industry benchmarks.
Risk mitigation: By following the guidelines, businesses can better identify and mitigate risks associated with AI implementation, potentially avoiding costly mistakes and regulatory issues.
Compliance preparation: As AI regulations evolve, this standard can help companies prepare for future compliance requirements, particularly in the European market.
Quality assurance: The report’s focus on data quality and engineering processes can guide companies in improving the overall quality and reliability of their AI systems.
Cross-industry applicability: With both horizontal and vertical perspectives, the standard is valuable for companies across various sectors, from tech startups to established enterprises in traditional industries.
Alignment with EU Policies: Companies can ensure their AI development aligns with European AI strategies and policies, potentially easing market entry and expansion in the EU.
As AI continues to transform industries, CEN/CLC/TR 17894:2024 provides a timely and crucial resource for companies navigating the complex landscape of AI development and implementation. By offering a structured approach to conformity assessment, this standard can help businesses build trust, ensure quality, and maintain compliance in their AI endeavors.