From Policy to Proof: The EU's AI Code of Practice Is Now in Force
- Thibault Williams
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
In our earlier article, Don't Just Write It. Prove It, we argued that an AI policy is more than just documentation; it's a mark of operational maturity. We outlined how Governance isn't just a compliance checkbox, but a platform for trust, security, and resilience.
Today, that message is no longer a strategic suggestion.
It's a regulatory requirement.
The Clock Has Started: The EU AI Code of Practice Is Live
The European Union has formally adopted the AI Code of Practice, a key step in enforcing the broader EU AI Act. That means organisations across sectors, especially those deploying general-purpose AI or operating in regulated industries, are now expected to prove that AI systems are being managed with transparency, accountability, and risk control.
It's no longer a matter of preparing for potential regulation; this is regulation, and it's here. The clock is ticking, and your organisation needs to act now.
If your organisation is relying on innovation without Governance, the risk is no longer hypothetical. It's a stark reality that could have serious consequences. The time for action is now.
You Have a Policy. Now You Need Evidence.
If you've already developed an AI policy (perhaps using RAII's template or our previous guidance), you're ahead of the curve. Your proactive approach puts you in a strong position to meet the new regulatory requirements.
The challenge? Policies must now be operationalised and auditable, not just aspirational.
The EU Code of Practice focuses on demonstrable Governance across the entire AI lifecycle, including:
Traceability of Data and Models
Organisations must maintain clear records of where AI data comes from, how it's processed, and how models are built, versioned, and deployed. This includes documenting data sources, model changes, and decision logic to ensure outcomes can be explained, audited, and defended when challenged.
Defined Roles and Responsibilities
Effective AI governance requires more than policies; it demands accountable owners. The EU Code of Practice requires clearly assigned responsibilities across legal, data, engineering, and product functions to ensure risks are consistently managed throughout the AI lifecycle.
Risk-Tiered Oversight Mechanisms
Not all AI systems carry the same level of risk, and oversight should reflect that. Organisations are expected to apply proportionate controls based on the model's impact, with stricter Governance for high-risk applications, such as decision-making in finance, healthcare, or public services.
Audit-Ready Documentation
To meet regulatory and procurement expectations, Governance must be evidential, not just theoretical. This means maintaining documentation that proves how AI systems comply with relevant standards, policies, and obligations, ensuring they are ready to withstand audits, RFPs, or crisis response.
A policy sitting on your intranet won't cut it. You need a living governance system, and you need it now.
Revisiting "Don't Just Write It. Prove It"
In that piece, we outlined five maturity dimensions:
Scope Clarity
Functional Governance
Cross-Functional Buy-in
Risk-Responsive Controls
Continuous Improvement
These remain essential. But under the Code of Practice, they move from maturity markers to compliance must-haves.
Read the original article here
How TMW Resilience Can Help You Operationalise AI Governance
Whether you're in financial services, public sector, healthcare, or technology, TMW Resilience works with your leadership, legal, GRC, and technical teams to:
Assess your AI governance posture using frameworks like ISO/IEC 42001 and NIST AI RMF
Operationalise your AI policy into defensible controls, audit-ready artefacts, and accountable workflows
Integrate Governance with engineering, procurement, and delivery
Monitor and update your AI systems for compliance durability
Governance isn't a one-time task. It's an evolving capability. We help you prove it, continuously.
Next Step: Book a Readiness Review
Already have a policy? Good.
Now prove it works.
Let us help you turn intent into implementation, with control frameworks, evidence trails, and cross-functional alignment that meet today's regulatory demands and tomorrow's stakeholder expectations.
Final Word: From Compliance to Confidence
AI governance is no longer optional.
The organisations that prove maturity, not just policy, will be the ones that:
Win enterprise trust
Secure critical contracts
Build resilient innovation pathways
Let's build AI systems that speak for themselves.
Let's lead with trust. Security. Resilience.
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