ICoCA and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

What is ICoCA?

ICoCA, the Responsible Security Association, is the international, multi-stakeholder oversight and certification mechanism for the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (the Code). Through membership or affiliation in ICoCA, private security providers are independently assessed against the Code, providing assurance that they meet defined standards and subject to a clear accountability process in the event of violations. ICoCA companies operate across all industries and sectors, on land and at sea.

What are the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR)?

The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) are high-level commitments to guide companies in conducting comprehensive human rights risk assessments in their engagement with public and private security providers. The Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) is a multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes the implementation of the VPSHR, primarily in the extractives sector.

How are ICoCA and VPSHR complementary?

By virtue of its mandate, ICoCA helps operationalise the principles set out in the VPSHR by verifying that private security providers comply with the Code. The Code, where relevant, is aligned with the VPSHR and translates its principles into concrete requirements covering areas such as the use of force, detention, weapons handling and management, governance and more. ICoCA therefore provides ongoing assurance of VPSHR and Code compliance for companies across all industries and sectors.

How does ICoCA demonstrate genuine commitment to the VPSHR?

ICoCA certification is the gold standard for private security due diligence. ICoCA’s third-party certification means compliance is independently verified. Its reporting requirements enable progress to be tracked over time. Its grievance mechanism means that alleged violations can be reported, investigated and addressed. Its training drives continual improvement.

How does ICoCA benefit investors and companies?   

Contracting ICoCA members and affiliates provides companies and investors with an efficient and effective way to address private security-related risks, including operational, legal, reputational and financial risks, while offering assurance that companies are subject to ongoing human rights due diligence aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the VPSHR and the Code. For companies, this supports compliance with emerging human rights due diligence legislation, including the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and strengthens ESG performance and investment attractiveness. For investors, it provides assurance of robust due diligence in a particularly sensitive area of their value chain. Beyond risk mitigation, responsible private security contributes to more stable operational environments by reducing tensions on the ground and strengthening the social license to operate. As regulatory expectations around human rights due diligence evolve, ICoCA provides verifiable evidence of how security companies and their clients are not only effectively managing private security-related risks but also promoting peace and security.

How the two instruments complement each other

What this means for you

• Governments: ICoCA membership puts you at the table of a multi-stakeholder mechanism with independent oversight, a grievance process and direct engagement with the private security sector.
• Private security providers: ICoCA certification demonstrates to your clients in the extractives sector that your operations meet an independently verified standard aligned with the VPSHR.
• Extractives companies: Requiring your private security providers to be ICoCA affiliates/members or ideally ICoCA certified translates your VPSHR commitments into something verifiable. It also provides a grievance channel and an audit trail relevant to your due diligence obligations.