Ethical AI Use Certification: A Guide to the Ethicality Badge
October 21, 2026
Your team already uses AI to draft, summarize and research. Clients increasingly want to know how. The Ethicality ethical AI use certification answers that with one public signal. The Ethicality Badge is backed by a published standard and a registry entry anyone can check.
This guide covers what the Ethicality certification is, what it requires, how the process works and what it costs.
What is the Ethicality Badge?
The Ethicality Badge is an independent certification of how an organization uses AI at work. It is issued against the Ethicality AI Use Standard (EAUS 1.0), a published standard of 15 plain-language requirements.
There is one badge and no levels. An organization either meets the applicable requirements or is told exactly what to change before it can certify.
Each certified organization receives:
- A numbered certificate
- The Ethicality Badge for its website, proposals and email signatures
- An entry in the public registry, so clients can confirm the certification without asking
What the Ethicality certification does and does not cover
Clarity matters here, so here is the boundary in plain terms.
| The Ethicality certification covers | It does not cover |
|---|---|
| How your people use AI tools at work | Testing or certifying AI systems themselves |
| Transparency with clients about meaningful AI use | Legal compliance, accreditation or government approval |
| Human review and human responsibility for AI-assisted work | An AI management system (the scope of ISO/IEC 42001) |
In Ethicality's own words: "AI assists. A person decides." A named certification officer reviews and signs every decision. No certificate is issued automatically. Read more on what certification means.
The 15 EAUS requirements, in brief
EAUS 1.0 took effect on September 16, 2026, and is reviewed annually. Its 15 requirements fall into three themes.
Clear rules and confidentiality
- Simple written rules for AI use that employees can access (R1)
- No confidential, privileged or sensitive information in public or unapproved AI tools (R2)
- No passwords or credentials in public or unapproved AI tools (R3)
- Employees know which AI tools are permitted (R4)
- Employees know the disclosure, confidentiality and review rules, and who to ask (R15)
Transparency
- Openness with clients about meaningful AI use (R5)
- Disclosure when AI substantially contributes to client-facing work, where a reasonable client would expect to know (R6)
- People are told when they are interacting with an AI system rather than a person (R7)
- People are told when AI played a meaningful role in a consequential decision about them (R8)
- Public statements about AI use are accurate (R9)
Human oversight and responsibility
- Material AI-assisted work is reviewed by a person before it goes out (R10)
- Important AI-informed recommendations get appropriate human approval (R11)
- AI never makes final consequential decisions about people on its own (R12)
- Reviewers have authority to change, reject or disregard AI output (R13)
- A person, not the AI, stays responsible for the final work (R14)
You don't need an AI department, an AI register or formal training records to meet these. Many firms find their current policies and practices already qualify. See what you need.
How to get certified: 4 steps
- Apply (about 10 minutes). Upload existing documents, or simply describe how your organization works.
- Assessment. Your application is reviewed against the applicable EAUS requirements, and a named certification officer signs the decision.
- Result within 5 business days. If a requirement isn't met yet, you're told clearly which one. Findings stay private, and one re-review within 90 days is included.
- Certify. The annual fee is charged only if you pass. Your badge, certificate and registry entry then go live.
Each year you complete a five-minute re-attestation against the same requirements.
What does it cost?
The assessment is free. You pay the annual fee only if you're certified. Pricing is by headcount, counting all employees and contractors in the certified entity.
| Organization size | Annual fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1–10 people | $300 |
| 11–50 people | $700 |
| 51–200 people | $1,500 |
| 201–500 people | $3,000 |
| 501+ people | Quoted on scope |
Prices exclude applicable taxes. Full terms are on the pricing page.
Who is it for?
The Ethicality certification is built for businesses, startups and professional firms that use AI at work. That includes accounting, law and consulting practices; technology companies; retailers; and manufacturers. If your clients trust you with their work or their data, the badge shows them how AI fits into that trust.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ethicality Badge a legal compliance certificate?
No. It reflects an independent assessment of the AI-use practices your organization disclosed, as of the assessment date. It does not certify compliance with any law.
Do we have to disclose which AI vendors or models we use?
No. Vendor names and model identifiers remain confidential.
How long is certification valid?
One year from the date of issue, renewed with a short annual re-attestation.
What happens if we don't pass the first time?
You're not charged. Your findings stay private, and one re-review within 90 days is included.
Show clients you use AI responsibly
The application takes about 10 minutes, and you'll have a decision within 5 business days. If you'd like to check first, take the free 2-minute readiness check.