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Exception Decision Record (EDR) — AI Use‑Case

AI Safety Pack Component

PeopleSafetyLab|February 24, 2026|2 min read|intermediate

Exception Decision Record (EDR) — AI Use‑Case

Version: v1.0

Use this when approving an exception to a default Prohibited classification in the matrix (e.g., any D3 Restricted data use, O2 automated external output, or C2 high‑impact decision support).

Principle: exceptions must be time‑boxed, have named accountability, and include compensating controls and an exit plan.


1) Summary

  • EDR ID: EDR‑YYYY‑###
  • Date:
  • Use‑case name / ID (from register):
  • Business owner (accountable):
  • Approvers: (Risk / Legal / Privacy / Security)
  • Exception type: (D3 / O2 / C2 / Other)

2) What is being approved (plain language)

Describe the exact behavior being allowed.

  • What the system does:
  • Who uses it:
  • Where outputs go:
  • What data is used:

3) Why the exception is needed

  • Business rationale:
  • Alternatives considered (and why insufficient):

4) Risk assessment summary

  • Main people‑harm risks (top 3):
  • Main data/privacy risks (top 3):
  • Residual risk after controls (Low/Med/High):
  • Link(s) to risk register rows:

5) Compensating controls (required)

Reference control IDs from 04-controls-map.md.

  • Controls to implement before go‑live:
  • Evidence required before go‑live:

6) Monitoring + rollback

  • Metrics to monitor:
  • Alert thresholds:
  • Kill switch owner:
  • How to disable immediately:
  • Rollback/containment steps:

7) Time box + review

  • Effective date:
  • Expiry date (required):
  • Review cadence:
  • Conditions that auto‑revoke the exception:

8) Decision

  • Decision: (Approved / Rejected / Approved with conditions)
  • Conditions / notes:
  • Signatures (names/roles):
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PeopleSafetyLab

Independent AI safety research for organisations and families in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. All research is editorially independent. PeopleSafetyLab has no consulting clients and does not conduct paid audits.

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