Certification Process
A structured pathway to APAE certification, designed specifically for the education ecosystem—from initial registration through ongoing compliance.
Who Can Apply?
EdTech Vendors
Companies providing AI-powered educational technology products to European schools.
AI Service Providers
Companies providing AI infrastructure or services used by educational technology products.
The 7-Step Certification Process
From registration to ongoing compliance—here's what to expect
What's Involved
- Create organization profile (vendor or school)
- Designate compliance contact and administrators
- Accept terms of service and privacy policy
- Select target certification level (can be adjusted later)
Schools don't need certification—they use our Certified Directory to find verified vendors.
What's Involved
- List all AI systems and features used in education
- Classify each by EU AI Act risk category
- Identify student data touchpoints
- Map AI decision points affecting learners
- Document third-party AI integrations
Risk Classifications
What's Involved
- Answer guided questionnaire about data practices
- System auto-generates DPIA framework
- Identify gaps in student data protection
- Receive remediation recommendations
- Document lawful bases for processing student data
The automated DPIA covers GDPR Article 35 requirements with education-specific considerations for minors.
What's Involved
- Privacy policies and student data handling procedures
- AI model documentation and decision logic
- Safety and content filtering test results
- Bias and fairness testing reports
- Accessibility audit results (WCAG compliance)
- Teacher oversight mechanism documentation
- Incident response and escalation procedures
What's Involved
- Documentation completeness review
- Technical compliance assessment
- Student safety evaluation
- Risk-based verification checks
- Clarification requests if needed
- Final compliance determination
The Review Board operates independently from commercial interests to ensure impartial assessment.
What's Involved
- Certification at appropriate level (1, 2, or 3)
- Digital certification mark for website/products
- Listing in the APAE Certified Directory
- Certification documentation for procurement
- Press release template (optional)
What's Involved
- Annual reassessment to maintain certification
- Notify APAE of major AI feature changes
- Re-assessment required for significant updates
- Continuous access to compliance dashboard
- Certification can be revoked for non-compliance
Re-Assessment Triggers
- New AI models or algorithms deployed
- Changes to student data collection/processing
- New high-risk AI features added
- Significant changes to third-party integrations
Typical Timelines
Timeline varies based on certification level and documentation readiness
4-6 weeks
Low-risk EdTech tools
6-10 weeks
Mature EdTech vendors
10-16 weeks
High-risk AI systems
Timeline Factors
Actual timelines depend on documentation completeness, response times to clarification requests, and the complexity of your AI systems. Organizations with well-documented AI governance practices often complete certification faster.
Certification Costs
Certification fees are based on organization size, certification level, and scope of AI systems. Contact us for a detailed quote tailored to your situation.
Ready to Start Your Certification Journey?
Begin with a free consultation to understand which certification level is right for your organization and what documentation you'll need.