Frequently Asked Questions
Answers before you apply.
The questions we hear most often from organisations considering the Blue Badge.
01
Can a startup apply, or is this only for large organisations?
Yes. Ethicality assesses any organisation that uses AI in its operations or products, from early-stage startups to large enterprises. The standard is the same; the scope of your assessment is sized to the systems you actually run.
02
How long does certification take from application to issued Blue Badge?
Most organisations complete the process in eight to twelve weeks. After we receive your application, we reply within five business days, scope the engagement, conduct the assessment, and present findings to the independent board. Complex or multi-jurisdiction scopes can run longer.
03
What happens if we don't pass on the first assessment?
You receive a private findings report identifying the specific gaps against EUMS. There is no public disclosure of a failed assessment. You may remediate and request a re-review; only organisations that meet the standard appear on the public registry.
04
Do we need to publicly disclose which AI vendors or models we use?
No. The public registry lists the certified organisation, scope, score band, and expiry. Vendor names, model identifiers, internal documentation, and commercially sensitive details remain confidential between you and Ethicality.
05
Is the Blue Badge a legal compliance certificate?
No. Ethicality is an independent ethics certification body. The Blue Badge confirms that your AI practices have been independently assessed against a published ethical standard. It is not a substitute for compliance with any law or framework.
06
How is Ethicality different from ISO 42001 or the EU AI Act?
ISO 42001 is a management-system standard focused on internal processes. The EU AI Act is law in the European Union focused on risk classification and obligations. Ethicality's EUMS is a focused ethics standard for how an organisation actually uses AI day-to-day, assessed by an independent board. The three are complementary; many certified organisations hold or work toward all of them.
07
How long is a Blue Badge valid, and what does maintaining it require?
Certifications are valid for two years. Maintenance involves an annual attestation and notification of material changes to your AI footprint. The EUMS standard itself is reviewed and updated annually; re-certification is assessed against the current version.
08
Who sits on the board that approves certifications?
An independent board of practitioners, scholars, and ethicists with no commercial relationship to the organisations being certified. See the Board of Directors.