Autonomous Reliability Assurance Foundation
The Reliability Standard for Autonomous Systems
ARA is the first comprehensive, testable framework for certifying that autonomous systems meet operational reliability requirements. Four integrated systems: standard, certification, monitoring, and ecosystem.
What brings you here?
Whether you build, evaluate, monitor, insure, or explore autonomous systems — ARA has a path for you.
Two-Axis Certification Model
ARA v1.1 introduces a two-axis framework: Evaluation Level (L1 Foundation, L2 Operational, L3 Comprehensive) determines evaluation rigor, while Assurance Class (A Periodic, B Monitored, C Continuous) determines ongoing monitoring intensity.
The combination — e.g., L2-B — creates nine distinct certification designations. A mandatory 7-factor risk classification determines your Assurance Class, conducted by the assigned AVB.
Four System Profiles
Not every system needs all 410 ACRs. ARA v1.1 defines four nested profiles that scope evaluation to your system's complexity and risk:
- FFoundational — 97 ACRs for single-purpose, limited-scope agents
- SStandard — 215 ACRs for general-purpose, customer-facing systems
- AAdvanced — 368 ACRs for multi-agent, high-autonomy deployments
- CComprehensive — All 410 ACRs for safety-critical, cross-domain systems
10-Phase Certification Lifecycle
From intake and risk classification through evaluation, issuance, continuous monitoring, and renewal — a complete lifecycle managed by AVBs and CAPOs.
The ARA Ecosystem
ARA is more than a standard — it's a complete reliability ecosystem. Six participant categories work together to ensure autonomous systems meet and maintain operational reliability requirements.
- —ARAF & TSB — Standard governance and oversight
- —AVBs — Evaluation, risk classification, and certification
- —CAPOs — Continuous monitoring for Class B and C
- —Insurance Partners — Coverage informed by ARA data
- —Platform Vendors — Certified platforms enabling ACR inheritance
ARA Trust Signal
ARA Trust Signal
Every ARA certification carries an ARA Trust Signal — a formal certification mark with continuous assurance dynamics that reflects the system's real-time operational state. Level, assurance class, monitoring status, and certification validity are encoded directly into the mark's visual grammar.
Where ARA Fits in the AI Standards Landscape
14 regulatory frameworks mapped across four layers — from regulation and governance to the agent ecosystem and operational reliability. ARA sits at the operational reliability layer, providing the granular, testable requirements that high-level frameworks lack.
Public Certification Registry
Verify the certification status of any ARA-certified autonomous system. Search by Certification ID, organization, or filter by level, assurance class, and certification type.
Current Standard & Governance
Document ID: ARAF-ARA-STD-2026-002. Governed by the Technical Standards Board (TSB) with advisory bodies including the Data Privacy & Societal Impact Committee (DPSIC).