IPI Launches Global Security Industry Standards Study

In order to catalyze thinking on the practical and policy issues involved in regulating the global security industry, IPI has produced, Beyond Market Forces, a feasibility study geared not toward developing a specific model for an industry standards framework, but rather toward fostering reflection within all relevant stakeholder groups––governments, industry, and civil society.

This reflection on their own positions regarding possible approaches to the implementation and enforcement of standards in the global security industry will better prepare the ground for informed dialogue between these groups in 2009 and beyond.

The study examines thirty standards implementation and enforcement frameworks from global industries:

   1. Anti-Slavery Courts
   2. British Association of Private Security Companies (BAPSC)
   3. Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)
   4. Children and Armed Conflict            
   5. Clear Voice Hotline Service
   6. Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
   7. Credit Rating Agencies
   8. Equator Principles
   9. European Union Code of Conduct on Arms Exports
  10. Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
  11. Fair Labor Association (FLA)
  12. Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
  13. Geneva Call
  14. Global Compact
  15. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
  16. Humanitarian Accountability Frameworks
  17. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  18. International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI)
  19. International Labour Organization Tripartite Declaration
  20. International Peace Operations Association (IPOA)
  21. Kimberley Process
  22. OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
  23. OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health)
  24. Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
  25. Private Security Company Association of Iraq (PSCAI)
  26. Sarajevo Process
  27. Social Accountability International (SAI)
  28. Toxic Waste Convention
  29. Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights
  30. Wolfsberg Group

Beyond Market Forces was prepared over the course of three months (June–September 2008) by a group of researchers led by James Cockayne of IPI.

The study identifies four contours of a feasible Standards Implementation and Enforcement Framework for the global security industry: (1) the fundamental responsibility of states; (2) the need to supplement, not supplant, state regulation; (3) the need to add value for other stakeholders, including the industry and civil society; and (4) the need to use smart incentives including––and going beyond––market forces to influence stakeholder conduct.