About: International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers

The International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (the Code) is a set of principles for private military and security providers, created through a multi-stakeholder initiative convened by the Swiss government. This process involved and continuously involves representatives from private security companies, states, and civil society organizations. The code reinforces and articulates the obligations of private security providers particularly with regard to international humanitarian law and human rights law. The Code also sets the foundation for developing an institutional framework to provide oversight of and accountability to the Code. Accordingly, the stakeholders involved agreed on ‘Articles of Association’ setting up an oversight mechanism, the International Code o