If you deploy or supply AI in the UK public sector, the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard is something you’ll encounter. Here’s what it is in 2026, cited to gov.uk. (dgm implements osFoundry as an independent partner. General information, not legal advice.)

What ATRS is

The Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) is a UK government standard giving public-sector bodies a consistent, public way to describe the algorithmic and AI tools they use — what the tool is, why it’s used, how it works, the data involved, and the human oversight in place. The aim is public transparency about how government uses AI.

Who must use it

ATRS is mandatory across central government departments and for arm’s-length bodies (ALBs) delivering public/frontline services or interacting directly with the public — mandated from 6 February 2024, rolled out in phases from March 2024, with intent to extend across the wider public sector. The mandatory scope policy sets out the detail and exemptions.

What a record contains

A standardised, public-readable description of the tool:

  • its name and purpose;
  • how it works (at a high level);
  • the data it uses;
  • the rationale for using it; and
  • the human oversight and governance around it.

It’s meant to be understandable to the public, not just technical specialists.

What it means for AI suppliers

Here’s the supplier angle: the buying body files the record, but it relies on information from you. So if you sell AI to the public sector, expect to provide clear, accurate details about how your tool works, what data it uses, and its oversight — and build your system so that information is readily available rather than reverse-engineered later. A vendor who can hand over a clean transparency description is far easier to procure.

Where osFoundry and dgm fit

dgm builds AI with the transparency and documentation an ATRS record needs. osFoundry’s visual configuration (osStudio — prompts, routing, retrieval are explicit, not hidden), audit logging, and clear data-flow make it straightforward to describe how a system works, what data it touches, and where humans review. That maps directly onto the fields an ATRS record requires, and onto the AI Playbook’s transparency principle. Data control via self-hosting or an EU region (osFoundry publishes US/EU/JP regions, not a UK one).

dgm is an independent integration partner with zero integrations so far. The record itself is filed by the public body. To scope a transparent, public-sector-ready AI project, book a consultation with dgm. General information, not legal advice.