STRENGTHENING PRIVATE SECURITY THROUGH BETTER WEAPONS MANAGEMENT: NEW GUIDANCE
Guidance for Private Security Companies on the Management of Weapons and Material of War
ICoCA and the Small Arms Survey are pleased to announce the publication of a new joint guidance to support private security companies (PSCs) in the responsible management of weapons and materiel of war.
Titled Guidance for Private Security Companies on the Management of Weapons and Materiel of War, the document is designed to help PSCs prevent the diversion of weapons and materiel of war – whether through theft, loss, corruption or mismanagement. Such diversion can pose serious threats to both security and stability, particularly in conflict-affected or high-risk environments, while also exposing companies to legal, reputational and financial risks.
Rooted in the principles of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers and aligned with internationally recognised frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the guidance offers a comprehensive approach to managing weapons and materiel of war. It builds on the management indicators previously published by ICoCA and complements technical resources like MOSAIC and the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATGs).
The guidance is practical in nature and structured around key themes including:
- Legal Compliance: Emphasising the need for PSCs to remain abreast of and aligned with both domestic regulations and international obligations related to arms control and transfers.
- Security and Inventory Management: Promoting best practices to secure storage, accountability and traceability of weapons and materiel at all times.
- Personnel Management: Highlighting the importance of robust recruitment, training and retention policies to ensure those handling weapons and materiel are competent and trustworthy.
- Equipment Serviceability: Encouraging systems to maintain, repair and properly dispose of equipment to minimise risk and prolong operational life.
- Safety and Incident Reporting: Advocating for a “safety first” mindset and formal procedures for reporting and investigating incidents to ensure continuous improvement.
This guidance is primarily aimed at management-level personnel within PSCs, but is also relevant to field operators, trainers and private or public clients seeking to understand the responsibilities involved in weapons and materiel management. It supports a culture of accountability, transparency and professionalism across the private security sector.
ICoCA and the Small Arms Survey extend their sincere thanks to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for its support, as well as to the private security companies that provided valuable input during the development of the guidance.