What happened
On 10 November 2026 the Department for Education published a consultation (applies to England) on introducing a certification scheme to assure the safety of education technology and artificial intelligence products used in schools and other education settings. It seeks views on how the scheme could support safer decision-making, reduce burdens on education settings, and give suppliers a clear, proportionate route to show products meet defined safety standards.
Why it matters
It would create a UK product-safety certification regime specific to AI/edtech used with children — a new compliance pathway and potential market-entry barrier for edtech and AI suppliers in England, with implications for AI accountability and safety in education.
Action needed
Suppliers of education AI/edtech in England should review the consultation and consider responding; monitor for any future mandatory certification requirement.