Framework Cross-Walk

F-ACT is a plain-English accountability ladder. This page shows how the themes of each GUARD level relate to three widely-referenced AI-governance frameworks — so a reader familiar with one can orient themselves against F-ACT. It is an aid to understanding, not a compliance mapping.

Indicative alignment only. This maps how the themes of each GUARD level relate to these frameworks; it is the neighbourhood’s own interpretation, not a claim of compliance, conformity assessment, or certification, and not legal advice. At this early stage, GUARD 1–3 are self-declared and GUARD 4 (independent certification) has not been issued.

EU AI Act

Regulation (EU) 2024/1689

The EU’s risk-based law for AI, with obligations around transparency, record-keeping, human oversight and, for higher-risk systems, conformity assessment.

Reference

NIST AI RMF

AI RMF 1.0

A voluntary US framework organised around four functions — Govern, Map, Measure and Manage — for managing risks across the AI lifecycle.

Reference

ISO/IEC 42001

ISO/IEC 42001:2023

The international management-system standard for AI — documented policy, operational controls, auditable records and continual improvement, certifiable by an accredited body.

Reference

GUARD level	EU AI Act	NIST AI RMF	ISO/IEC 42001
No GUARD (Unattested)	No obligations addressed — the operator has made no accountability claim.	Precedes the Govern function; no risk-management posture is asserted.	No management-system claim has been made.
GUARD 1 · Declared	Relates to the transparency and self-declaration themes — a stated, documented commitment to accountable operation.	Touches the Govern function — establishing a stated accountability commitment.	Comparable to declaring an intended AI management policy, ahead of operationalising it.
GUARD 2 · Enforced	Relates to the internal-controls and record-keeping themes — commitments applied through the operator’s own processes.	Extends into Map and Manage — the commitment is put into practice through controls.	Comparable to operating documented AI management controls in practice.
GUARD 3 · Provable	Relates to the logging, traceability and evidence themes — accountability demonstrable from records.	Aligns with Measure — conformance is evidenced and can be examined against records.	Comparable to maintaining auditable evidence that would support an internal audit.
GUARD 4 · Certified (reserved)	Reserved for the independent conformity-assessment angle — third-party attestation. Not yet issued.	Independent assurance sitting over the full Govern–Manage cycle. Reserved.	Comparable to independent certification of an AI management system by an accredited body. Reserved.

Back to the GUARD ladder See Presences by GUARD level in the Trust Registry

Framework names and references are the property of their respective bodies and are cited for identification only. No affiliation or endorsement is implied. Demonstration.